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Physical and Conformational Studies of Histones and Nucleohistones

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Histones and Nucleohistones

Abstract

In the chromosomes of all higher organisms deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is found in association with a family of basic proteins, the histones. This close association of histones with DNA has led to two suggestions concerning their function. The first of these is based on the original hypothesis of Stedman and Stedman [1] that histones are involved in control mechanisms of genetic regulation while the second proposed function, a structural one, is suggested by the conformational changes which chromosomes undergo during mitosis. The presence of histones in amounts slightly larger than the DNA component [DNA: Histone, 1: 1.3] and carrying sufficient positive charge to neutralize a large proportion of the DNA phosphate groups implies a major involvement of histones in the process of chromosomal coiling. In mammalian cells, molecules of DNA of lengths up to 1 m are condensed into chromosomes of dimensions of the order of microns. The process is reversible and must involve a series of precise interactions between the histones and the DNA molecules and between the histones themselves in order to control the complex conformational changes which DNA undergoes during chromosomal condensation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, Portsmouth Polytechnic, Biophysics Laboratory, Park Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DZ, UK

    E. M. Bradbury & C. Crane-Robinson

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  1. E. M. Bradbury
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  2. C. Crane-Robinson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Chester Beatty Research Institute, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Cancer Hospital, London S.W.3, UK

    D. M. P. Phillips

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© 1971 Plenum Publishing Company Ltd.

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Bradbury, E.M., Crane-Robinson, C. (1971). Physical and Conformational Studies of Histones and Nucleohistones. In: Phillips, D.M.P. (eds) Histones and Nucleohistones. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1815-6_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1815-6_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-1817-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-1815-6

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