A Nucleosome is the basic structural unit of DNA that assemble into a chromosome. Each nucleosome consists of a segment of DNA wound in sequence around eight histone protein cores. This structure is often compared to thread wrapped around a spool. Use this 3D printed model of DNA wrapped around a histone core to explain how DNA is organized within a chromosome.
Protein Description 3C1B
The X-ray crystal structure of the core particle shows in atomic detail how the 146 residue histone protein octamer pairs DNA and organizes the intertwined superhelix structure around it. Histone amino-terminal tails pass over and between the gyres of the DNA superhelix to contact neighboring particles. Learn more about histone core packaging by exploring Nucleosome 1KX5.
Biologic Explorer: 3C1B
Model Description
Model of Nucleosome 3D printed in full-color sandstone. Histone core colored purple according to their bFactor, warmest=pink, coolest=blue. The coiled DNA strand is colored from N to C Terminal blue to red. This allows us to see the anti-parallel winding of one DNA strand to another.