Probing chromosome structure with dynamic force relaxation

Phys Rev Lett. 2001 Jan 8;86(2):360-3. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.360.

Abstract

We report measurements of the dynamics of force relaxation in single mitotic chromosomes, following step strains applied with micropipettes of force constant approximately 1 nN/microm. The force relaxes exponentially after an elongation (l/l(0)) to less than 3x native length, with a relaxation time approximately 2 sec. This relaxation time corresponds to an effective viscosity approximately 10(5) times that of water. We experimentally rule out solvent flow into the chromosome as the mechanism for the relaxation time. Instead, the relaxation can be explained in terms of the disentanglement dynamics of approximately 80 kb chromatin loop domains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatin / ultrastructure
  • Chromosomes / physiology*
  • Chromosomes / ultrastructure*
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Kinetics
  • Mitosis
  • Models, Structural
  • Salamandridae

Substances

  • Chromatin