Chromatin fiber structure and plectonemic model of chromosome condensation in Drosophila cells.

Reversible permeable cells have been used to isolate chromatin structures during the process of chromosome condensation. Analysis of individual structures slipping out from nuclei after reversal of permeabilization revealed that chromosomes of Drosophila cells consist of small units called rodlets. The fluorescent images of chromatin fibers were subjected to computer analysis allowing the computer-aided visualization of chromatin fibers. The zig-zag array of fibers consisting of 12-15 nucleosomes with a length of 270-330 nm (average 300 nm) showed decondensed extended strings, condensed loops, and coiled condensed loops. Theoretical considerations leading to the plectonemic model of chromatin condensation are based on experimental data, and give an explanation how the 30 chromatin fibers are formed and further condensed to the 300 nm chromatin loops in Drosophila cells.