Organic osmotic effectors and chromatin structure

Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics
A BucheC Houssier

Abstract

Organic amino compounds (taurine, glycine) and polyols (mannitol, sorbitol) are used as osmotic effectors by most animal cells, particularly by some marine invertebrates, but also to a limit extent by mammalian cells. Using physico-chemical techniques (circular dichroism, thermal denaturation, solubility, electrophoresis and electric linear dichroism), we demonstrated that some of these effectors prevent chromatin aggregation, without histone release. The influence of glycine on chromatin aggregation, dissociation and reconstitution was thoroughly investigated. Glycine at 2 M concentration does not in itself induce chromatin dissociation; it does hinder salt-induced histone dissociation from chromatin (especially at 1.2 M NaCl) but does not impede chromatin reconstitution. Several hypothesis may be put forward to explain the action of these effectors: (i) a modulation of histone conformation; (ii) a modification of fractional DNA charge, either directly by the zwitterions (glycine, taurine) or indirectly by alteration of cations counterions hydration. The physiological relevance of our experiments is also discussed.

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Citations

Nov 24, 2001·International Journal of Biological Macromolecules·F C MarincolaG Barone
Jul 1, 1997·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Physiology·C HoussierS Flock
Mar 27, 2002·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·D Kültz, D Chakravarty
Apr 27, 1999·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·R GillesC Houssier
Aug 1, 1993·Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics·A BucheC Houssier
Feb 15, 2001·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·D Kültz, D Chakravarty
Dec 1, 1995·Tissue & Cell·R GillesC Houssier
Sep 27, 2006·The Journal of Chemical Physics·Mario G Campo
Jul 1, 1996·Journal of Cellular Physiology·C LibioulleR Gilles
Aug 1, 1995·Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics·S FlockC Houssier
Feb 11, 1998·Physiological Reviews·F LangD Häussinger

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