³¹P NMR studies of the solution structure and dynamics of nucleosomes and DNA

Abstract

31P NMR studies of 140 base pair DNA fragments in nucleosomes and free in solution show no detectable change in the internucleotide 31P chemical shift or linewidth when DNA is packaged into nucleosomes. Measurements of 31P spin-lattice relaxation times T1 and 31P-[H] nuclear Overhauser enhancements revealed internal motion with a correlation time of about 4 x 10(-10) sec in double helical DNA, both free in solution and bound to nucleosomal core proteins. This result implies greater dynamic mobility in double helical DNA than has previously been supposed.