DNA in human and stallion spermatozoa forms local hexagonal packing with twist and many defects.
Abstract: In human and other mammal sperm nuclei, DNA is packed in a highly condensed state, the structure of which remains unsolved. Cryoelectron microscopy of vitrified sections provides a first direct view of the local arrangement of the nucleoprotamine filament. DNA aligns in parallel in layers and its orientation rotates along a single-twist direction as in a cholesteric liquid crystal. The structure contains numerous defects, which introduce locally double-twist configurations. Destruction of the SS bonds with dithiotrehitol relaxes the twist and favors the extension of the hexagonal close packing of the filaments, though keeping constant their interfilament distance.
Copyright 2001 Academic Press.
Publication Date: 2001-07-27 PubMed ID: 11469879DOI: 10.1006/jsbi.2001.4365Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research study explores the highly condensed structure of DNA in human and stallion sperm cells. It provides a novel perspective on the local arrangement of these intricate structures, revealing a hexagonal package with defects and a unique twist.
Overview of Research
- This study uses Cryoelectron microscopy of vitrified sections, a highly advanced microscopic technology that enables the direct visualisation of intricate cellular structures.
- The researchers essentially applied this technology to inspect the local arrangement of nucleoprotamine filaments within the DNA of human and stallion sperm cells.
Findings on DNA Structure
- The study revealed a hexagonal packing in the DNA structure, where the DNA aligns itself in parallel within different layers.
- Additionally, the orientation of this DNA exhibits a rotating pattern along a single direction, similar to that found in a cholesteric liquid crystal.
Identified Defects
- Rather than being perfectly structured, the researchers found the DNA lattice to be filled with numerous defects. These defects contribute to local double-twist configurations of the DNA.
Impact of Destruction of SS Bonds
- The study further experimented with the destruction of the SS (disulfide) bonds encompassed in the DNA structure using a compound called dithiotrehitol.
- This destruction led to a relaxation of the DNA twist, advocating for an extension of the hexagonal close packing within the filaments. However, the distance between the individual DNA filaments, known as interfilament distance, remained constant throughout this, suggesting its robust nature.
Cite This Article
APA
Sartori Blanc N, Senn A, Leforestier A, Livolant F, Dubochet J.
(2001).
DNA in human and stallion spermatozoa forms local hexagonal packing with twist and many defects.
J Struct Biol, 134(1), 76-81.
https://doi.org/10.1006/jsbi.2001.4365 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratoire d'Analyse ultrastructurale, Université de Lausanne, Bâtiment Biologie, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chromatin / chemistry
- Cryoelectron Microscopy
- Crystallization
- DNA / chemistry
- DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
- DNA-Binding Proteins / drug effects
- Dithiothreitol / pharmacology
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Male
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Conformation
- Spermatozoa / chemistry
Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- Wu C, Travers A. Modelling and DNA topology of compact 2-start and 1-start chromatin fibres.. Nucleic Acids Res 2019 Oct 10;47(18):9902-9924.
- Eltsov M, Grewe D, Lemercier N, Frangakis A, Livolant F, Leforestier A. Nucleosome conformational variability in solution and in interphase nuclei evidenced by cryo-electron microscopy of vitreous sections.. Nucleic Acids Res 2018 Sep 28;46(17):9189-9200.
- Sung B, Kim MH. Liquid-crystalline nanoarchitectures for tissue engineering.. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2018;9:205-215.
- Hutchison JM, Rau DC, DeRouchey JE. Role of Disulfide Bonds on DNA Packaging Forces in Bull Sperm Chromatin.. Biophys J 2017 Nov 7;113(9):1925-1933.
- Yevdokimov YM, Skuridin SG, Semenov SV, Dadinova LA, Salyanov VI, Kats EI. Re-entrant cholesteric phase in DNA liquid-crystalline dispersion particles.. J Biol Phys 2017 Mar;43(1):45-68.
- Marenduzzo D, Micheletti C, Orlandini E, Sumners de W. Topological friction strongly affects viral DNA ejection.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013 Dec 10;110(50):20081-6.
- Leforestier A. Polymorphism of DNA conformation inside the bacteriophage capsid.. J Biol Phys 2013 Mar;39(2):201-13.
- DeRouchey J, Hoover B, Rau DC. A comparison of DNA compaction by arginine and lysine peptides: a physical basis for arginine rich protamines.. Biochemistry 2013 Apr 30;52(17):3000-9.
- Leforestier A, Lemercier N, Livolant F. Contribution of cryoelectron microscopy of vitreous sections to the understanding of biological membrane structure.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012 Jun 5;109(23):8959-64.
- DeRouchey JE, Rau DC. Role of amino acid insertions on intermolecular forces between arginine peptide condensed DNA helices: implications for protamine-DNA packaging in sperm.. J Biol Chem 2011 Dec 9;286(49):41985-41992.
- DeRouchey JE, Rau DC. Salt effects on condensed protamine-DNA assemblies: anion binding and weakening of attraction.. J Phys Chem B 2011 Oct 20;115(41):11888-94.
- Sader K, Studer D, Zuber B, Gnaegi H, Trinick J. Preservation of high resolution protein structure by cryo-electron microscopy of vitreous sections.. Ultramicroscopy 2009 Dec;110(1):43-7.
- Smalyukh II, Kachynski AV, Kuzmin AN, Prasad PN. Laser trapping in anisotropic fluids and polarization-controlled particle dynamics.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006 Nov 28;103(48):18048-53.
- Zuber B, Haenni M, Ribeiro T, Minnig K, Lopes F, Moreillon P, Dubochet J. Granular layer in the periplasmic space of gram-positive bacteria and fine structures of Enterococcus gallinarum and Streptococcus gordonii septa revealed by cryo-electron microscopy of vitreous sections.. J Bacteriol 2006 Sep;188(18):6652-60.
- Eltsov M, Dubochet J. Study of the Deinococcus radiodurans nucleoid by cryoelectron microscopy of vitreous sections: Supplementary comments.. J Bacteriol 2006 Sep;188(17):6053-8; discussion 6059.
- Eltsov M, Dubochet J. Fine structure of the Deinococcus radiodurans nucleoid revealed by cryoelectron microscopy of vitreous sections.. J Bacteriol 2005 Dec;187(23):8047-54.
- Al-Amoudi A, Chang JJ, Leforestier A, McDowall A, Salamin LM, Norlén LP, Richter K, Blanc NS, Studer D, Dubochet J. Cryo-electron microscopy of vitreous sections.. EMBO J 2004 Sep 15;23(18):3583-8.
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