Molecular combing is a powerful and simple method for aligning DNA molecules onto a surface. Using this technique combined with fluorescence microscopy, DNA-histone complexes are stretched on a hydrophobic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) surface and observed directly. We have developed a new method to stretch single DNA-histone complexes, termed spin-stretching. The results show that the histones markedly enhance DNA binding to the PMMA surface. DNA winds around the histones and therefore decreases in length. The number of histones that bind to each DNA molecule is found to correlate with the histone concentration. The combed DNA-histone complexes are found to depend on two factors: the binding force on the surface and the centrifugal force at its local position. Na+ ions should compete with histones for binding to DNA; however, the observed competitive binding effect of Na+ ions at low concentrations was negligible.
LIU YuYingWANG PengYeDOU ShuoXingZHANG WeiWeiWANG XueJinSANG HongYi
The binding of cations (Na +,K +,Mg 2+,Ca 2+,Mn 2+) and histones to DNA can be studied using fluorescence assays.Here,we measured the fluorescence intensity and fluorescence anisotropy of DNA and DNA-histone complexes in the presence of cations.We demonstrate that when different cations are added into a DNA solution,the fluorescence intensities of the stained DNA are reduced by different amounts.Compared with divalent cations,monovalent cations had a weaker effect on fluorescence intensity and fluorescence anisotropy.Divalent (Mn 2+,Mg 2+,Ca 2+) cations markedly enhanced the fluorescence anisotropy of DNA.The binding modes of monovalent and divalent cations to DNA may be different.Divalent cations can change the structure of DNA molecules,or promote the assembly of DNA strands.The addition of histones causes DNA condensation,which mostly occurs during the first few seconds.Cation binding to DNA is abrupt,and is much faster than that of histones.
LIU YuYingWANG PengYeDOU ShuoXingZHANG WeiWeiWANG XueJinSANG HongYi
