Chromatin assembly is a highly regulated and dynamic process involving the packaging of DNA into chromatin, the complex of DNA and proteins in the cell nucleus. The key features of chromatin assembly include the deposition of histone proteins onto DNA, the formation of nucleosomes, and the establishment of higher orders of chromatin structure. The first step in chromatin assembly involves the deposition of histone proteins onto DNA. Histones are positively charged and bind to the negatively charged DNA through electrostatic interactions. The binding of histones to DNA is reversible, allowing for dynamic chromatin remodelling. Chromatin Assembly Factor (Caf1) is a key protein involved in histone deposition. It forms a complex with histone H3-H4 dimers and helps deposit them onto newly synthesized DNA during DNA replication. This process ensures that newly replicated DNA is rapidly assembled into chromatin. Nucleosomes are the basic repeating units of chromatin and consist of DNA wrapped around a histone octamer, which includes two copies of each core histone (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4). Histone H1 binds to the linker DNA between nucleosomes. NAP1 (Nucleosome Assembly Protein 1) is involved in the formation of nucleosomes. It interacts with histones and facilitates the assembly of histone octamers onto DNA to create nucleosomes. NAP1 also plays a role in histone exchange and chromatin remodelling. Chromatin can undergo remodelling to make specific DNA regions accessible or inaccessible to various cellular processes, such as transcription, replication, and repair. Chromatin remodelling complexes use energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to modulate nucleosomes. The SWI/SNF (Switch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable) complex is an example of a chromatin remodelling complex. It contains ATPase subunits, such as BRG1 or BRM, which use ATP to alter the position of nucleosomes, making DNA regions more accessible for transcription factors and other proteins. This complex therefore plays a critical role in gene regulation. Chromatin forms higher-order structures through interactions between nucleosomes and additional factors. These structures include chromatin fibres, loops, and domains, which impact gene accessibility and regulation. Condensins are protein complexes involved in such higher-order chromatin organization, particularly during cell division. They help compact chromatin into tightly packed structures that are essential for proper chromosome segregation. Condensins are also ATP-dependent molecular complexes. Epigenetic modifications, (DNA methylation and histone modifications) are added to chromatin to regulate gene expression and chromatin structure. For example, acetylation of histone tails is associated with open chromatin and active gene transcription, whilst methylation can have various effects. Histone Acetyltransferases (HATs) such as p300 and CBP, are enzymes responsible for adding acetyl groups to histone tails. This acetylation neutralizes the positive charge of histones, making chromatin less compact and more accessible to transcription factors. Finally, DNA Methyltransferases (DNMTs) are enzymes involved in DNA methylation, a key epigenetic modification. DNMTs add methyl groups to cytosine residues in DNA, which can lead to changes in chromatin structure and gene silencing. Thus, chromatin assembly is a complex and dynamic process that involves histone deposition onto DNA, the formation of nucleosomes, chromatin remodelling, the establishment of higher-order chromatin structures, and epigenetic modifications. We offer a large product range of research tools for investigating chromatin assembly, including BRRN1 antibodies, and SET antibodies. Explore our full chromatin assembly product range below and discover more, for less.