Distribution of active gene sequences: a subset associated with tightly bound chromosomal proteins.

The distribution of active polyadenylate-messenger RNA sequences in fractionated chicken liver chromatin was examined. A portion of these active gene sequences is concentrated in a DNA fraction retained by tightly bound nonhistone chromosomal proteins, while the nonretained DNA fraction is substantially depleted of a portion of these sequences. These findings suggest that the tightly bound nonhistones are physically associated with a subset of active gene sequences.