Analysis of DNA associated with nucleosomes in pea chromatin.

Micrococcal nuclease digestion of chromatin from ungerminated and 48 h-germinated pea embryos yields DNA fragments which are multiples of basic units of 194-195 base pairs. Extensive digestion produces a core particle of 145 base pairs. Deoxyribonuclease I gives rise to fragments which are multiples of 10 bases upon analysis on denaturing gels. These values are comparable with those found for other plant materials. These results indicate that gross changes in nucleosomal organization do not accompany the onset of germination.