Biopolym. Cell. 1999; 15(6):510-515.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7124/bc.000547
Genome and Its Regulation
Stable torsional tension in DNA of Chironomus thummi polytene chromosomes
1Kuzin F. E., 1Shilova I. E., 2Bugreev D. V., 2Nevinski G. A., 1Gruzdev A. D.
  1. Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the RAS
    10, Akademika Lavrentieva Ave., Novosibirsk, Russian Federation, 630090
  2. Novosibirsk Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
    8, Akademika Lavrentieva Ave., Novosibirsk, Russian Federation, 630090

Abstract

Topological state of DNA in isolated polytene chromosomes of Chironomus thummi at the stage of the highest transcription activity has been determined by microfluorometrical method. About 15 % of chromosomal DNA stained with EtBr have been found to be under torsional stress. The value of the stress expressed as the relative twist difference is –0.1. It has been shown that domains of the stressed DNA contain transcriptionally active genes. Torsionully stressed DNA relaxes after addition of endogeneoits topoisomerase I.
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