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The subunit structure of the eukaryotic chromosome

Nature volume 253, pages 245–249 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

New structural data have been obtained from neutron scattering studies of chromatin. The concentration-dependent meridional peak at 10–11 nm comes from the interparticle spacing of a subunit structure. Peaks at 5.5 and 3.7 nm have a different contrast behaviour to those at 11.0 and 3.7 nm showing that histones and DNA have a different spatial arrangement in the subunit. A globular model in which apolar segments of histones form the core surrounded by DNA complexed with the basic segments of histones agrees with the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biophysics Laboratories, Physics Department, Portsmouth Polytechnic, Gun House, Hampshire Terrace, Portsmouth, PO1 2QG, UK

    J. P. Baldwin, P. G. Boseley & E. M. Bradbury

  2. Institut Max Von Laue-Paul Langevin, BP 156 Centre de tri, Grenoble, Cedex, 38042, France

    K. Ibel

Authors
  1. J. P. Baldwin
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  2. P. G. Boseley
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  3. E. M. Bradbury
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  4. K. Ibel
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Baldwin, J., Boseley, P., Bradbury, E. et al. The subunit structure of the eukaryotic chromosome. Nature 253, 245–249 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253245a0

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