MAKE CONNECTIONS Although the proteins that cause the E. coli chromosome to coil are not histones, what property would you expect them to share with histones, given their ability to bind to DNA (see Figure 5.14)?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the question. The question is asking about the properties that the proteins causing the E. coli chromosome to coil share with histones, given their ability to bind to DNA.
2. Step 2: Recall what histones are. Histones are proteins that help package DNA into a compact, efficient form. They have a positive charge due to the presence of amino acids like lysine and arginine, which allows them to bind to the negatively charged DNA.
3. Step 3: Make a connection. Given that the proteins in E. coli also bind to DNA, we can infer that they must also have a property that allows them to interact with the negatively charged DNA. This property is likely a positive charge.
4. Step 4: Formulate the answer. Therefore, the property that the proteins causing the E. coli chromosome to coil would share with histones is a positive charge, which allows them to bind to the negatively charged DNA.
5. Step 5: Review the answer. Make sure the answer makes sense and fully addresses the question. The proteins in E. coli and histones both bind to DNA, so they must share a property that allows them to do so. In this case, that property is a positive charge.

Key Concepts

Protein-DNA Interaction

Proteins that bind to DNA, such as histones and the proteins in E. coli, typically share the ability to interact with the negatively charged phosphate backbone of DNA. This interaction is crucial for the structural organization of DNA, allowing it to be compacted into a more manageable form within the cell. The binding often involves specific amino acid residues that can form ionic bonds or hydrogen bonds with the DNA.

Chromatin Structure

Chromatin is the complex of DNA and proteins found in eukaryotic cells, primarily composed of histones that help package DNA into a compact structure. While E. coli lacks histones, it utilizes other proteins to achieve a similar level of DNA compaction. Understanding chromatin structure is essential for grasping how DNA is organized and regulated within the cell.

Nucleosome Formation

Nucleosomes are the fundamental units of chromatin, consisting of a segment of DNA wrapped around a core of histone proteins. This structure not only protects DNA but also plays a role in gene regulation. In E. coli, while nucleosomes are not present, analogous protein-DNA complexes perform similar functions in organizing and regulating the bacterial chromosome.