Analysis of chromosome inner structure by nucleosome tomography using FIB/SEM

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25252064
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied molecular and cellular biology
• Research Institution: Tottori University (2016-2017); Osaka University (2013-2015)
• Principal Investigator: Fukui Kiichi 鳥取大学, 染色体工学研究センター, 特任教授 (00311770)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 若生 俊行 国立研究開発法人農業生物資源研究所, その他部局等, 主任研究員 (80373257) ; 近江戸 伸子 神戸大学, 人間発達環境学研究科, 教授 (30343263) ; 高田 英昭 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 生命工学領域, 主任研究員 (20455207) ; 内山 進 大阪大学, 工学研究科, 教授 (90335381)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 染色体 / 高次構造 / ヌクレオソーム / 染色体スキャフォールド / ＦＩＢ／ＳＥＭ / ナノテクノロジー / ３次元構築 / ヒト

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Chromosome structure has been an enigma through these three centuries. We tried to elucidate the inner structure of the chromosome by visualization of nucleosome positions by slice and view method using focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy. As a result, random distribution of nucleosomes were revealed through the chromosome and no regular structure was not detected. On the other hand, we analyzed the chromosome scaffold and revealed that the scaffold consisted with helical double stranded structure. This structure accounts the rigid and flexible nature of the chromosome.

Free Research Field

応用分子細胞生物学