Form of DNA and the nature of interactions with proteins in chromatin.

Studies of native chromatins and of isolated nucleosomes (from calf thymus) show that the DNA is in the B form or modified B form. This was determined by Raman spectroscopy of chromatins, of nucleosomes (from calf thymus) and of DNA fibres and directly correlated with X-ray diffraction studies. The Raman spectra of three forms of DNA (A, B and C) have been characterized in fibres both by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy on the same sample. In particular, the Raman spectrum of the C form of DNA is characterized by a band of about 870 cm(-1). For the first time, chromatins of different origins with increasing content of non-histone proteins have been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The site of interaction of the non-histone proteins appears to involve the N7 position of guanine while the histone core does not interact at this site. It is proposed that the mechanism of specific recognition in chromatin involves the large groove.