Chapter 12: Problem 6
Describe the structure of lampbrush chromosomes. Where are they located?
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Chapter 12: Problem 6
Describe the structure of lampbrush chromosomes. Where are they located?
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Mammals contain a diploid genome consisting of at least \(10^{9}\) bp. If this amount of DNA is present as chromatin fibers, where each group of 200 bp of DNA is combined with 9 histones into a nucleosome and each group of 6 nucleosomes is combined into a solenoid, achieving a final packing ratio of \(50,\) determine (a) the total number of nucleosomes in all fibers, (b) the total number of histone molecules combined with DNA in the diploid genome, and (c) the combined length of all fibers.
Tandemly repeated DNA sequences with a repeat sequence of one to six base pairs-for example, (GACA) \(_{n}\) -are called microsatellites and are common in eukaryotes. A particular subset of such sequences, the trinucleotide repeat, is of great interest because of the role such repeats play in human neurodegenerative disorders (Huntington disease, myotonic dystrophy, spinal- bulbar muscular atrophy, spinocerebellar ataxia, and fragile-X syndrome). Following are data (modified from Toth et al., 2000 ) regarding the location of microsatellites within and between genes. What general conclusions can be drawn from these data? $$\begin{array}{lcc}\text { Taxonomic Group } & \text { Within Genes } & \text { Between Genes } \\ \text { Primates } & 7.4 & 92.6 \\ \text { Rodents } & 33.7 & 66.3 \\ \text { Arthropods } & 46.7 & 53.3 \\ \text { Yeasts } & 77.0 & 23.0 \\ \text { Other fungi } & 66.7 & 33.3\end{array}$$
Examples of histone modifications are acetylation (by histone acetyltransferase, or HAT), which is often linked to gene activation, and deacetylation (by histone deacetylases, or HDACs), which often leads to gene silencing typical of heterochromatin. Such heterochromatinization is initiated from a nucleation site and spreads bidirectionally until encountering boundaries that delimit the silenced areas. Recall from earlier in the text (see Chapter 4 ) the brief discussion of position effect, where repositioning of the \(w^{+}\) allele in Drosophila by translocation or inversion near heterochromatin produces intermittent \(w^{+}\) activity. In the heterozygous state \(\left(w^{+} / w\right),\) a variegated eye is produced, with white and red patches. How might one explain position-effect variegation in terms of histone acetylation and/or deacetylation?
Describe the transitions that occur as nucleosomes are coiled and folded, ultimately forming a chromatid.
What chemical and structural properties of histones enable them to successfully package eukaryotic DNA? What is chromatin remodeling, and how is it controlled within eukaryotic cells?
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