Electron-microscopic visualization of transcriptionally active and less active chromatin fractions from the rat ventral prostate and their content of histones

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Abstract
The content of histones in transcriptionally active (euchromatin-like (E)) and transcriptionally less active (heterochromatin-like (H)) fractions from the rat ventral prostate was determined. The absolute amount of total histone was less in the E fraction, which contained relatively more stained histone F2b and F3 and less histone F1 than either the H fraction or unfractionated chromatin. The phosphotungstic-acid-stained E fraction was composed predominantly of shorter (50-500 nm) and thinner (5-15 nm) structures. In some preparations, pieces estimated to be 500-1000+ nm in length were present. Spherical structures, 10-20 nm in diameter, some of which were present as dimers, trimers or higher-ordered ensembles were seen in the shadow-cast E fraction. The stained or shadow-cast H fraction contained longer (200-2000+ nm) and thicker (.simeq. 20 nm) fragments with a more complex substructure. When the shadow-cast H fraction was sufficiently dispersed, it had a nodular or beaded appearance.

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