First Chromatin Protein-Nucleosome Structure

BMB scientists, led by Song Tan, are the first to determine the 3D structure of a chromatin protein interacting with the nucleosome.

RCC1 chromatin enzyme interacting with the nucleosome. Credit: Song Tan Lab

BMB scientists led by Song Tan are the first to determine the 3D structure of a chromatin protein interacting with the nucleosome. Like beads on a string, nucleosomes are complexes of densely packaged DNA wrapped around proteins called histones. The X-ray crystallography structure at 2.9A resolution shows the Drosophilia chromatin protein RCC1 bound to the opposite sides of the nucleosome like tricycle pedals.  This research is a major breakthrough toward understanding how genes coded on the DNA within the nucleosome are accessed and controlled, opening the prospect for new therapeutics against human diseases.