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Active chromatin

Nature volume 297, pages 289–295 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

Active genes are packaged into an altered nucleosome structure forming a chromosomal domain defined by increased sensitivity to nucleases. This structure, reflecting a potential for transcription, contains sites hypersensitive to nuclease digestion adjacent to the coding regions and may also be distinguished by specific non-histone proteins, variant or modified histones or modified DNA. Its formation, by unfolding of a tightly packed chromatin fibre by factors which might affect DNA supercoiling, may be the first step in gene activation.

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    Stuart Weisbrod

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Weisbrod, S. Active chromatin. Nature 297, 289–295 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/297289a0

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