Name: chromatin rebuilding during dna replication
Uploaded: 2021-04-07T12:12:01.000Z
Duration: 2 min 5 s
Channel: JoVE

The genetic material, the DNA, in a eukaryotic cell exists inside the nucleus as linear structures called the chromosomes.
Within the chromosomes, the double-stranded DNA primarily wraps around octameric nuclear proteins called histones to form nucleosomes. Several non-histone proteins also associate with the DNA, assisting in DNA packaging.
These nucleosomes and non-histone proteins arrange to form coils which further fold into loops, in an array, forming packed chromatin. The extent of chromatin compaction enables extremely long DNA to fit inside the nucleus. During M phase, chromatin further coils to form the condensed chromosomes.
Chromosome duplication involves duplicating the entire chromatin structure, so the DNA and chromatin-associated proteins are all duplicated. The production of histones is increased to generate the additional proteins required for packaging the newly synthesized DNA into chromosomes.
Replicating the exact chromatin structure of the duplicated chromosome is vital for gene regulation.&#160;
Within the chromosomes, the level of chromatin packaging is not always uniform. Chromosomes contain regions with tightly packed chromatin called heterochromatin and regions with loosely packed chromatin called euchromatin.
Heterochromatin DNA is inaccessible to the transcription machinery, and hence genes in those regions are not regularly transcribed. In contrast, the DNA within the euchromatin is more accessible, and thus genes in these regions can be transcribed.&#160;&#160;&#160;
This structural and functional significance of chromatin makes it crucial that the entire chromatin structure is reproduced accurately during chromosome duplication.

duplication of chromatin structure

Duplication of Chromatin Structure

The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be accurately inherited, reassembled, and maintained in the daughter cells to ensure lineage propagation.
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their N-terminal ends protruding out of the core, providing sites for various covalent modifications that regulate chromatin structure and function.
During replication, as the DNA unwinds, parental nucleosomes are disrupted, and histone proteins are released. As replication progresses and daughter strands form, the parental histones and the additional histone proteins synthesized during S-phase are assembled, allowing the formation of nucleosomes.
The post translational modifications of the histones and other epigenetic domains in the DNA are also faithfully reproduced in the daughter genome.
<h4>Chromatin structure influences gene expression</h4>
Within a cell, the major portion of the genome remains inaccessible to transcription factors, as the regulatory and coding DNA sequences exist mostly concealed within the nucleosomes. For a gene to express, it is necessary to create accessible sites for transcription factors to bind and also to modify the histones to reorganize the chromatin structure and create an environment permissive for transcription.
Specific regulatory factor complexes are involved in opening up localized regions of the chromatin by displacement or disruption of nucleosomes. Post-translational modifications of the histone tail serve to maintain either an active or inactive transcriptional state. Specific modifications at the histone tail can ease the level of DNA compaction, facilitating the destabilization and displacement of nucleosomes, providing access for transcription machinery to influence gene expression.

The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be ...

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JoVE Core

Molecular Biology

Unit 2

Cell Division

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

chromatin rebuilding during dna replication

Chromatin rebuilding during DNA replication helps cells copy DNA and pass on chromosome structure to daughter cells. During cell division, the genome must be disrupted and then reassembled across the whole chromosome. This process allows chromatin to be inherited, rebuilt, and maintained in new cells.

The basic unit of chromatin is the nucleosome. A nucleosome contains DNA wrapped around an octamer of histone proteins, with short linker DNA between neighboring nucleosomes. The histone proteins have N-terminal tails that stick out from the core. These tails can receive covalent modifications that help control chromatin structure and function.

As DNA unwinds during replication, parental nucleosomes are disrupted and histone proteins are released. When daughter DNA strands form, the old histones and the extra histone proteins made during S phase are put back together on the DNA. This assembly recreates nucleosomes on the new strands. The same histone marks and other epigenetic features in the DNA are also copied into the daughter genome.

Chromatin structure also affects gene expression. In most cells, much of the genome is not available to transcription factors because regulatory and coding DNA is hidden inside nucleosomes. To turn a gene on, the cell must open a local DNA region so transcription factors can bind. It must also modify histones to rearrange chromatin into a state that supports transcription.

Regulatory factor complexes help open these local chromatin regions by displacing or disrupting nucleosomes. Histone tail modifications can help keep chromatin in an active or inactive state. Some modifications reduce DNA compaction and make nucleosomes easier to destabilize or move. This gives the transcription machinery access to the DNA and helps control gene expression.

Chromatin Rebuilding During DNA Replication

chromatin-rebuilding-during-dna-replication

mitosis and cytokinesis

Mitosis and Cytokinesis Stages

Mitosis and cytokinesis are the two main steps of cell division. Mitosis is the process that divides the nucleus, while cytokinesis splits the rest of the cell. During mitosis, the cell’s genetic material is separated into two sets. This helps form two new nuclei with the same genetic information. Cytokinesis then completes division by separating the cytoplasm, which creates two daughter cells. These stages work together to make cell division possible in growing and repairing tissues.

Chromatin rebuilding during DNA replication helps cells copy DNA and pass on chromosome structure to daughter cells. During cell division, the genome must be disrupted and then reassembled across the whole chromosome. This process allows chromatin to be inherited, rebuilt, and maintained in new cells. The basic unit of chromatin is the nucleosome. A nucleosome contains DNA wrapped around an octamer of histone proteins, with short linker DNA between neighboring nucleosomes. The histone proteins...

cohesins

Cohesins in Meiosis and Genetic Disorders

Cohesin protein complexes act like molecular glue that keeps sister chromatids together. They are important in both mitosis and meiosis. In mitosis, cohesin complexes are removed from chromosomes before anaphase begins. Meiosis has two rounds of chromosome separation. Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes, while Meiosis II separates sister chromatids. This process produces four daughter cells. The Meiosis I cohesin complex is made of four subunits: Smc1, Smc3, Rec8, and Scc3. Rec8...

condensins

How Condensins Shape Mitotic Chromosomes

Condensins shape chromosomes during mitosis, the stage when a cell divides. These large protein complexes use ATP, the cell’s energy molecule, to help turn loose post-interphase DNA into compact, separate chromosomes. They organize and segregate chromosomal DNA so it can be passed on correctly. Plant and animal cells contain two condensin complexes: condensin I and condensin II. Each complex has five subunits. Two are SMC, or Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes, subunits. One is a kleisin...

the mitotic spindle

How the Mitotic Spindle Separates Chromosomes

The mitotic spindle is a microtubule-based structure that helps separate chromosomes during cell division. It forms in eukaryotic cells and moves sister chromatids to opposite ends of the parent cell. This leaves each new cell nucleus with the correct genetic material. A bipolar spindle has two poles, and that shape is important for chromosome segregation. In many animal cells, two centrosomes are present when mitosis begins. Each centrosome helps organize a circular set of microtubules at one...

centrosome duplication

Centrosome Duplication in the Cell Cycle

Centrosome duplication is a key part of the animal cell cycle. The centrosome is the main microtubule organizing center, or MTOC, in animal cells. It contains two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole has nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The two centrioles sit at right angles and are surrounded by the pericentriolar matrix, or PCM, a shapeless protein cloud. Duplication starts early in the cell cycle so each daughter cell can receive a centrosome after...

microtubule instability

Microtubule Growth and Shrinkage

Microtubules are hollow, cylindrical filaments in the cell. They are about 25 nm wide and can range from 200 nm to 25 μm in length. Their main building blocks are GTP-bound tubulin subunits that form αβ-heterodimers, which then assemble into protofilaments. These protofilaments join by lateral bonds to create stable microtubule cylinders. Microtubules are highly dynamic because they repeatedly assemble and break down. They can even grow on one end while shrinking on the other at the same time.

spindle assembly

How the Mitotic Spindle Forms

The mitotic spindle forms through centrosome-mediated, chromatin-mediated, and microtubule-mediated pathways. These pathways often work at the same time. Together, they build a strong spindle apparatus for cell division. In most cells, centrosomes are the main sites where microtubules begin to grow. During the G2 to prophase transition, centrosomes mature and make more microtubules. The growing microtubules extend from both centrosomes, and their plus-ends search for chromosomes by attaching...

attachment of sister chromatids

Kinetochore-Microtubule Binding in Mitosis

Kinetochore-microtubule binding helps chromosomes line up and separate during mitosis. After the nuclear envelope breaks down, condensed chromosomes are exposed to the bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore is a large, disc-shaped protein complex at the centromere region of each sister chromatid, and it serves as the microtubule binding site. Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule inserts into the kinetochore. In some cases, a kinetochore first makes lateral...

forces acting on chromosomes

Chromosome Movement During Mitosis

Chromosome movement during mitosis depends on several small forces that act at different times and positions in the cell. In prometaphase, these forces help chromosomes move to the equatorial plane and line up at the metaphase plate. Because the forces change with location and stage, chromosome behavior also changes as mitosis continues. Microtubules and motor proteins create two main kinds of force on chromosomes: poleward force and anti-poleward force, also called polar-ejection force.

separation of sister chromatids

Anaphase Start and Chromatid Release

Anaphase starts when sister chromatids are released from one another and pulled toward opposite spindle poles. Before that happens, cohesion along the chromosomal arms is reduced from prophase to metaphase, which helps the sister chromatids resolve. A residual cohesin link still holds them together until the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. This leftover connection helps prevent early separation and reduces the risk of aneuploidy, or the wrong number of chromosomes, in daughter cells. At the...

the spindle assembly checkpoint

How Cells Safeguard Chromosome Separation

The spindle assembly checkpoint helps cells safeguard chromosome separation during anaphase. It acts as a molecular surveillance system. The checkpoint checks whether the steps needed for chromosome segregation are complete before the cell moves on. Many proteins work together to control this checkpoint. If mutations affect these proteins, a cell may enter anaphase too early. Chromosomes can then separate before the needed steps are finished. When this happens, the daughter cells may receive...

anaphase a and b

Chromatid Movement by Microtubule Forces

Chromatid movement during anaphase depends on microtubule forces at the spindle. Kinetochore microtubules grow from the spindle poles, and their plus ends attach to kinetochores on sister chromatids. The kinetochore protein complex Ndc80 makes low-affinity links with the microtubule plus end.

the contractile ring

How Cells Build the Contractile Ring

Contractile rings are built from microfilaments and help separate daughter cells during cytokinesis. This ring forms as the cell cycle moves forward, but the exact timing and coordination with other cell cycle events are still not fully understood. RhoA, a small GTPase in the Ras superfamily, controls contractile ring assembly and function. The inactive form of RhoA is bound to GDP. A guanine nucleotide exchange factor, or Rho-GEF, is located in the cortex region, where the next cell division...

determining the plane of cell division

How Cells Set the Division Plane

How cells set the division plane during cell division affects daughter cell size and, in many cases, cell fate. The plane of division is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation. Different organisms use different cues to place it, based on their shape and needs. In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the division plane from the cell cortex, the area just below the plasma membrane. The mitotic spindle is the main guide for this position. If the spindle axis changes, the...

the phragmoplast

How Plant Cells Build a New Wall

Plant cells build a new wall during cytokinesis with help from the phragmoplast. This plant structure forms from the central spindle and related cell parts as the cell finishes dividing. In animal cells, the comparable structure is the midbody, but in plants the phragmoplast expands outward to guide new wall formation. The mature phragmoplast has a donut-like shape. It has an outer leading region, a middle transition zone, and an inner lagging region. New microtubules are assembled...

distribution of cytoplasmic content

How Organelles Are Split During Cytokinesis

Cytokinesis splits a cell’s chromosomes and organelles into two daughter cells. Before cell division, organelles grow and divide. They cannot be made from scratch, so each daughter cell must inherit at least one copy to survive. Many details of this organelle sorting process are still not fully known. The cytoplasm contains organelles, salts, proteins, and water. Small organelles such as peroxisomes and lysosomes can be shared by simple diffusion. Because cells contain many copies of these...

anaphase promoting complex

APC Activates Chromosome Separation

The anaphase-promoting complex, or APC, helps control cell cycle progression by destroying specific proteins at the right time. These proteins are tagged with ubiquitin by ubiquitin ligases and then broken down by the proteasome. The SCF (Skp1/Cullin/F-box) complex and APC are two major ubiquitin ligases involved in this process. SCF stays active throughout the cell cycle, but APC turns on during the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. APC becomes active when Cdc20 or Cdh1 binds to it. These...

key terms and concepts

Explore how chromatin is broken apart and rebuilt during DNA replication, how histones are reused, and how chromatin changes affect gene expression in cells.

Chromatin Rebuilding During DNA Replication | JoVE K12

molecular biology

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Chromatin Rebuilding During DNA Replication

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