H1 histone, polylysine and spermine facilitate nucleosome assembly in vitro

AbstractNucleosome formation has been studied in a system containing relaxed Col El DNA, core histones and an extract of Drosophila embryos. The formation of nucleosomes was established by the introduction of supercoils into DNA. The degree of DNA supercoiling was shown to be higher if nucleosomes were assem-bled in the presence of the H1 histone, polylysine (Mr 20000) or spermine. These agents do not stimulate relaxation and are the more effective the earlier they are added to the reaction. Thus, the H1 histone, polylysine and spermine facilitate nucleosome assembly in vitro