Ethidium bromide (EB) binding to nucleosomal DNA. Effects on DNA cleavage patterns.

Abstract Binding of ethidium bromide (EB) to chromatin DNA induces structural changes in nucleosomes. The characteristic cleavage patterns of nucleosomal DNA after digestion with either micrococcal nuclease or pancreatic deoxyribonuclease are altered in the presence of the intercalating dye. Instead, apparently random digestion occurs. Polylysine reduces the amount of EB-binding sites in nucleosomal DNA. Since the intercalation of EB is known to proceed from the minor groove of DNA, polylysine supposedly occupies the same site of the nucleosomal DNA moiety.