The X-ray crystal structure of the nucleosome core particle of chromatin shows in atomic detail how the histone protein octamer is assembled and how 146 base pairs of DNA are organized into a superhelix around it. Both histone/histone and histone/DNA interactions depend on the histone fold domains and additional, well ordered structure elements extending from this motif. Histone amino-terminal tails pass over and between the gyres of the DNA superhelix to contact neighbouring particles. The lack of uniformity between multiple histone/DNA-binding sites causes the DNA to deviate from ideal superhelix geometry.
Model Description
3D printed Biologic Model of Nucleosome 1AOI created from PDB ID: 1KX5 and printed in full color plastic. Biologic model visualizes coiled DNA strands as yellow and orange chains surround and light blue histones.
