Primary Role of the Nucleosome

The coiling of DNA in the core nucleosome inhibits the initiation of transcription. The core nucleosome thus serves as a general gene repressor and prevents pervasive intergenic and intragenic transcription. This fundamental regulatory role of the nucleosome apparently emerged before the acquisition of the histone tails.

Source: Molecular Cell - August 5, 2020 Category: Cytology Authors: Roger D. Kornberg, Yahli Lorch Tags: Perspective Source Type: research