The bending rigidity of mitotic chromosomes.

Elasticity Measurements Show the Existence of Thin Rigid Cores Inside Mitotic Chromosomes

Chromosome condensation is one of the most critical steps during cell division. However, the structure of condensed mitotic chromosomes is poorly understood. In this paper we describe a new approach based on elasticity measurements for studying the structure of in vitro assembled mitotic chromosomes in Xenopus egg extract. The approach is based on a unique combination of measurements of both lo...

Loops Determine the Mechanical Properties of Mitotic Chromosomes

We introduce a new polymer model for mitotic chromosomes. The key assumption of the model is the ability of the chromatin fibre to cross-link to itself due to binding proteins. These protein-chromatin interactions are included by a probabilistic and dynamic mechanism. The hypothesis is motivated by the observation of high repulsive forces between ring polymers. We performed computer simulations...

Polymer models of meiotic and mitotic chromosomes.

Polymers tied together by constraints exhibit an internal pressure; this idea is used to analyze physical properties of the bottle-brush-like chromosomes of meiotic prophase that consist of polymer-like flexible chromatin loops, attached to a central axis. Using a minimal number of experimental parameters, semiquantitative predictions are made for the bending rigidity, radius, and axial tension...

Applying Fuzzy Logic Model for Bending Rigidity Evaluation of Woven Fabrics

Chromosome Scaffold is a Double-Stranded Assembly of Scaffold Proteins

Chromosome higher order structure has been an enigma for over a century. The most important structural finding has been the presence of a chromosome scaffold composed of non-histone proteins; so-called scaffold proteins. However, the organization and function of the scaffold are still controversial. Here, we use three dimensional-structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM) and focused ion beam/...