Packaging of DNA into a Chromosome

Scope:
Deoxyribonucleic acids
Levels of DNA Folding
Chromosomes and its Major Parts
Objectives:
1. Define what DNAs are, their function and location;
2. Illustrate the levels of DNA Folding with the use of concept map;
3. Value the importance of DNAs and other proteins involved in packaging of DNA.
Lecture:
The Miraculous Process of DNA Folding
Since DNA is a very long molecule, there is a need for it to be compressed in order
to fit inside the human body. It is a process known as the Packaging of DNA.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Brief History

Discovered by Frederich Miescher (1800)

James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin worked to
make the importance of the DNA clear. They studied X-ray diffraction patterns and
building models which led to the discovery of helical structure of DNA.

Functions:

Stores genetic information

Encode the sequence of amino acid residues in proteins
Provides instruction for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce

Location
Majority are in the nucleus
Some are present in mitochondria
Structure
DNA is made up of chemical building blocks called the nucleotides, which is made up
of 3 parts: phosphate group, sugar group and nitrogenous bases, namely adenine,
cytosine, thymine, guanine
Levels of DNA Folding
Nucleosome Model a model comprised by histones and DNA; the primary level of
folding.

 Histones proteins that are responsible for the compression of DNA; DNAbinding proteins.
Sub-units of Histones
- H2a monomer
- H3 monomer
- H2b monomer
- H4 monomer

 Histone Octamer the double tetramer structure of histones.

Solenoid Model the secondary level of folding; a more complex model than
the nucleosome model, wherein the nucleosomes are further wrapped,
forming a solenoid-like structure.
Nuclear Scaffold Model tertiary level of folding; solenoid model is further
wrapped, compressing the DNA more, forming a chromatin fiber.
Chromosome the quaternary and last level of folding; product of larger loops
and coils of chromatin. Most compact chromatin structure arrangement.
Major Parts of a Chromosome:
Centromere central region of the chromosomal structure. It is where
2 sister chromatids are joined to each other.
Sister chromatids 2 identical copies of the chromosome.
Telomeres repetitive DNA sequences that are situated at the tips of
chromosomes.
- References:
- https://www.genome.gov/25520880/deoxyribonucleic-aciddna-fact-sheet/
- http://www.ducksters.com/science/biology/dna.php
- http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/dna-packaging

www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/dna-packagingnucleosomes-and-chromatin-310
http://www.livestrong.com/article/382817-what-are-nucleicacids-made-of/
http://www.livescience.com/37247-dna.html

- Quiz:
1. Because of this process, very long molecules of DNA are able to fit inside the
nucleus of a cell.
2. He discovered the DNA in 1800s.
3. A single nucleosome is a combination of __________ and ____________.
4. In this model, a chromatin fiber is formed.
5. In this model, nucleosomes are further wrapped in a spiral manner.
6. 7. A single histone is considered as bead-on-string.
8. 9. There is a dimer of H1 histone present in an Octamer.
10. 11. H4 is a histone subunit.
12. 15. Discuss the process of DNA packaging briefly.
- Answers:
1. DNA Packaging
2. Frederich Miescher
3. DNA & histone proteins
4. Nuclear Scaffold Model
5. Solenoid Model
6. 7. False, it is chromatin fiber.
8. 9. False, there should be only 1 H1 histone./ it is not present in octamer
10. 11. True
12. 15. It starts with the binding of DNA with histones, forming a nucleosome.
Then, the nucleosomes are further wrapped which forms a solenoid-like
structure. Next is the formation of the chromatin fiber, or the so called beadson-a-string complex, through additional compressing of DNA. Lastly, is the
formation of chromosome, the most compact chromatin structure
arrangement.
-

Prepared by:
Aragon, Brent Rza G.
BSEd IV-F (Bio. Sci.)