Local DNA sequence controls asymmetry of DNA unwrapping from nucleosome core particles

DNA is tightly wrapped around histone proteins in nucleosome core particles (NCPs), yet must become accessible for processing in the cell. This accessibility, a key component of transcription regulation, is influenced by the properties of both the histone proteins and the DNA itself. Small angle x-ray scattering with contrast variation (CV-SAXS) is used to examine how sequence variations affect DNA unwrapping from NCPs, at different salt concentrations. Salt destabilizes NCPs, populating multiple unwrapped states as many possible unwrapping pathways are explored by the complexes.

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