2 Genetics Lecture - DNA Packaging

Faculty of
Medicine
Medical Education-
Damietta
University
Level 1
Semester 1
Module 1B
DNA Packaging
DNA Organization
Dr Raghdaa Shrief
Assistant Prof. Medical Microbiology & Immunology,
Damietta Faculty of Medicine
Instructor Information
• Contact: Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department.

• Official email: Ragnem@du.edu.eg
• Mobile (optional):
• Academic hours:
➢ Monday: 10:00-11:00 AM
➢ Wednesday: 10:00-11:00 AM
Lecture Outline
• What & Why is DNA Packaging?
• Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic DNA Packaging.
• Histones and Nucleosomes.
• Chromatid, Chromatin & Chromosomes.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lecture, the students will be able to:
1- Define the value of DNA Packaging.

2- Differentiate between Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic DNA
Packaging.
3- Define histones & nucleosomes.
4- Recognize chromatin & its organization.
5- Define chromatid & chromosomes.
Clinical Situation
100
Times How is DNA fit
in the Cell
Learning Outcome 1
Define the value of DNA Packaging.

DNA Packaging
• A typical (diploid) human
cell contains 46
chromosomes (23 pairs)
(Except female ova &
male sperm, 23), whose
total DNA is ~ 2 m long,
whereas the nucleus in
which is packed is
just 1-6 μm.
DNA Packaging
DNA Packaging: DNA folding in

an appropriate fashion to reduce
its size sufficiently to fit inside
the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell &
cytoplasm of a prokaryotic cell
& still be functional.
Learning Outcome 2
Differentiate between Prokaryotic &

Eukaryotic DNA Packaging.
No True Nucleus True Nucleus
No Nuclear Membrane Nuclear Membrane
Nucleoid Human Cells
Bacteria Fungi
DNA Packaging In prokaryotes
• In prokaryotes, the cell generally contain circular DNA
molecules (one or few chromosomes) at the nucleoid region
(Which When stretched out, its length would measure
almost 2 mm).
• DNA either presents as relaxed circles or supercoiled

where the helix is twisted around itself to be compressed
into smaller spaces.
DNA Packaging In Eukaryotes
• In eukaryotic cells, DNA is about
1,000 times larger than that of
bacteria & tightly packaged into a
chromosome.
• Higher Organization of DNA occurs

in the nucleus. DNA packaging in
chromosomes occurs during the
prophase of mitosis.
DNA Packaging In Eukaryotes
• Double stranded DNA is first wound over
histones forming nucleosomes. A group of
nucleosomes form the DNA fibrils & further
supercoiled to form 30 nm chromatin fibers
or chromatin threads (DNA + histones).
The fiber is organized into loops anchored
by a nuclear scaffold containing several
proteins & condensed to form chromosomes.
Histones
Histone Proteins
❑ Five types of histones; H1, H2A, H2B, H3,H4.
❑ Histones synthesized in the cytoplasm migrate to the
nucleus.
❑ Positively charged proteins due to high content of
lysine & arginine.
❑ Form ionic bonds with the –ve charged phosphate
group of DNA to form the nucleosomes.
The Nucleosomes
• ds DNA helix wraps twice around a
histone octamer formed by 2
molecules of H2A, H2B, H3 & H4
to form a spherical particle called
nucleosome which condense &
stabilizes DNA.
• Nucleosome is formed of disc-

shaped core proteins (octamer, 8
subunits) with the DNA double
helix (146 nucleotide pairs)
wrapping around the core proteins.
The Nucleosomes
• Nucleosomes are connected by small pieces of DNA (linker
DNA) to which H1 histone is attached.
• The formation of the nucleosomes protects DNA from

digestion by nucleases.
• Nucleoplasmin is a -ve charged (anionic) nuclear protein

that interacts with the histones to help the proper
assembly of the nucleosomes by preventing the nonspecific
binding of histones (strong +ve cationic) & DNA ( strong –
ve anionic).
Chromatin
The basic repeating structural & functional unit of
chromatin is the nucleosome.
• The DNA is tightly packed around histones and other
DNA binding proteins.
• All chromosomes inside a nucleus forms the chromatin
network.
Chromatin
The cells (in interphase) contain two types of chromatin:
• Euchromatin
• Heterochromatin
• Euchromatin: loosely packed form of DNA in the

chromosome, low DNA density, ready for gene
expression (genetically active).
• Heterochromatin: more tightly packed form of DNA in

the chromosome, high DNA density, genetically inactive
(limited gene expression as the genes are not
accessible to various enzymes & factors).
Chromatin
1. The 11-nm chromatin fibril.
2. The 30-nm chromatin fiber.

11nm
3. The 300-nm chromatin fiber.
4. The 700-nm chromatid.
5. The 1400-nm chromosome.

Chromatin
• The 11-nm Chromatin Fibril:
consists of the nucleosomes lying
above each other with their flat
faces parallel (beads-on-a-
string). 11n
m
• The 30-nm Chromatin Fiber:

is supercoiling of the 11 nm
fibril with 6-7 nucleosomes per
turn, stabilized by H1
histones.
Chromatin
• The 300-nm chromatin fiber: the
30-nm fiber forms loops averaging
300-nm in length.
• The 700-nm chromatid: is formed

due to compression & folding of the
300-nm fiber.
• Then every 6 loops are wrapped

around a supporting matrix
(scaffold protein).
Chromosomes
• Each chromosome is formed of 2
identical sister chromatids
connected at the centromere.
• Can be identified at the metaphase

under microscope.
• They are numbered according to

their length & the position of the
centromere.
Chromosomes
• The centromere: AT-rich region (106 bp) binds certain
proteins to form the kinetochore (a complex that can
binds the mitotic spindle).
• The position of the centromere forms the ‘‘arms’’ of the

chromosome: p (the shorter of the two) & q (the longer).
• Telomeres: The ends of each chromatid consists of DNA

TG-rich sequences (5'-TTAGGG-3’) & proteins. Protect
the end of the chromosome from deterioration.
Chromosomes
• Human Somatic Cells have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs of
chromosomes, Genome is diploid).
• Each somatic cell contains 22 pairs of homologous

autosomal chromosomes + one pair of sex chromosomes
(XX in females or XY in males).
• Human Gamete Cell (ovum, sperm) contains 23

chromosomes (Genome is haploid).
• Each gamete cell contains 22 autosomal chromosomes +

one sex chromosome (X in females or Y in males).
Gene
• Piece of DNA occupies a specific positions (locus) on
the chromosome.
• Contains genetic information coding for synthesis of one

polypeptide (protein).
• House Keeping Genes: essential for life of the cell (genes

of glucose metabolism).
• Differential Genes: essential for performance of specific

functions so differ with organ (genes specific for liver
functions in the liver cells).
Gene
Exons: the segments of the gene
coding for proteins, expressed
regions.
Introns: stretches of silent areas

interspaced the exons, intervening
areas, not translated.
Primary mRNA transcripts contain

introns which are later removed
to produce mature mRNA.
Genome
The total number of genes

within one mature cell of
an organism. The human
genome contains about 2o,ooo
to 25,000 genes.
DNA Packaging is
DNA folding in an
appropriate
fashion to fit inside
the cell.
Clinical Situation Discussion
100
Times How is DNA fit
in the Cell
Questions 1
• ………………does not form the histone octamer. (1 Mark)
A. Histone H4.
B. Histone H2B.
C. Histone H1.
D. Histone H3.
Questions 2
The chromosomes are microscopically identified

during…. (1 Mark)
A. Telophase.
B. Metaphase.
C. Anaphase.
D. Interphase.
Questions 3
………………is a repeated stretch of DNA localized at the
tips of all eukaryotic chromosomes. (1 Mark)
A. Telomere.
B. Centriole.
C. Chromomere.
D. Micromere.
Discussion & Feedback
References
• DM Vasudevan,Textbook of Biochemistry for medical
students.
• Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews Biochemistry.
• Oraby's Illustrated Reviews of Biochemistry.
• https://youtu.be/prYd9nE0Rks
• https://youtu.be/d80N0L-0Cmc
• https://youtu.be/9kQpYdCnU14

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Faculty of

• Contact: Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department.

• Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic DNA Packaging.

• Histones and Nucleosomes.

• Chromatid, Chromatin & Chromosomes.

1- Define the value of DNA Packaging.

Define the value of DNA Packaging.

DNA Packaging: DNA folding in

Differentiate between Prokaryotic &

• DNA either presents as relaxed circles or supercoiled

• Higher Organization of DNA occurs

• Nucleosome is formed of disc-

• The formation of the nucleosomes protects DNA from

• Nucleoplasmin is a -ve charged (anionic) nuclear protein

• The DNA is tightly packed around histones and other

DNA binding proteins.

• All chromosomes inside a nucleus forms the chromatin

• Euchromatin: loosely packed form of DNA in the

• Heterochromatin: more tightly packed form of DNA in

2. The 30-nm chromatin fiber.

3. The 300-nm chromatin fiber.

4. The 700-nm chromatid.

5. The 1400-nm chromosome.

• The 30-nm Chromatin Fiber:

• The 700-nm chromatid: is formed

• Then every 6 loops are wrapped

• Can be identified at the metaphase

• They are numbered according to

• The position of the centromere forms the ‘‘arms’’ of the

• Telomeres: The ends of each chromatid consists of DNA

• Each somatic cell contains 22 pairs of homologous

• Human Gamete Cell (ovum, sperm) contains 23

• Each gamete cell contains 22 autosomal chromosomes +

• Contains genetic information coding for synthesis of one

• House Keeping Genes: essential for life of the cell (genes

• Differential Genes: essential for performance of specific

Introns: stretches of silent areas

Primary mRNA transcripts contain

The total number of genes

The chromosomes are microscopically identified

• Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews Biochemistry.

• Oraby's Illustrated Reviews of Biochemistry.

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