The portion of the chromosome that stains deeply with a DNA-specific dye and is present in condense form is the heterochromatin. On the other hand, euchromatin is a region of the chromosome that has dense packing. It actively participates in the transcription process. So, what is the difference between euchromatin vs heterochromatin?
Well, understanding the differences between heterochromatin and euchromatin is crucial in biology. Furthermore, the DNA in heterochromatin has a condensation or binds closely. On the contrary, the DNA of euchromatin has compression or it has a weak binding. Keep on scrolling down, and we will find out all the differences between euchromatin vs heterochromatin.
What Is Euchromatin?
Before we tell you the differences between euchromatin vs heterochromatin, let us tell you that euchromatin is a kind of chromatin that has a light packing pattern. Additionally, the presence of euchromatin usually invariably indicates that cells are transcriptionally active. This shows that they are actively transcribing DNA to mRNA.
Euchromatin Structure:
The majority of the initial gene exons in euchromatin are unmethylated. They are present in a form that does not have condensation. This form of the structure is present in the distal arms. Euchromatin is present throughout the nucleus. And it duplicates throughout the S Phase.
The transcriptionally active version of chromatin is known as the euchromatin. With the presence of ‘beads on a string,‘ euchromatin has a less compact structure and is commonly referred to as 11 nm fiber. Nucleosomes represent the beads, while DNA represents the string.
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Euchromatin Function:
Euchromatin is the chromatin that is present in the active transcription of DNA into mRNA. Transcription can begin because euchromatin is more open to facilitating the recruitment of RNA polymerase complexes and gene regulatory proteins.
What Is Heterochromatin?
Heterochromatin is a kind of chromatin that has a dense packing pattern. Furthermore, this is the primary distinction between euchromatin vs heterochromatin, as the latter has light packing. It also prevents RNA and DNA polymerases from finding their way into DNA.
Heterochromatin Structure:
It has a compact and densely packed structure. Modifications to histones and the expansion of silencing complexes produce changes in chromatin design, resulting in heterochromatin. Heterochromatin does not fully express its genes due to its repressive nature.
Heterochromatin frequently folds into higher-order structures, causing negative supercoiling of DNA to rise. As a result, Heterochromatin’s design is both stable and dynamic, changing with the cell cycle. But, the DNA elements that encourage the creation of active chromatin and remove nucleosomes aid in chromatin formation. This makes it possible for heterochromatin to spread.
Heterochromatin Types:
By examining the ‘Constitutive Heterochromatin’ and ‘Facultative Heterochromatin,’ you can clearly understand the structure of heterochromatin. Constitutive Heterochromatin is a persistent kind of heterochromatin made up of repeating DNA sequences known as Satellite DNA. This heterochromatin is present in centromeres and telomeres. It plays the role of regulating structural functions.
Facultative Heterochromatin is known to alter over the cell cycle. This is made up of ‘LINE Sequences,’ which repeat. This makes them “repeating DNA sequences.” The structure of the inactivated X-chromosome in females changes as a resultant factor. The density gradient data may also be useful to identify the heterochromatin structures.
It shows that heterochromatin has a stable structure while euchromatin has a distinctive design, which makes up the primary difference between euchromatin and heterochromatin. Additionally, they have several more differences in terms of DNA density, nucleus stain, location, genetic impact, transcriptions, genetic formation, replication, heteropycnosis, etc.
Heterochromatin Function:
Modifications to chromatin dictate the functional characteristics of heterochromatin. For example, in yeast, the heterochromatin core histones undergo hypoacetylation. This causes the lysine residues to have more positive charge.
It allows for more significant contact between the histone and DNA, forming a more closed nucleosome shape.
As heterochromatin has low acetylation of Histone H4-K16, it has a tight chromatin structure, which promotes chromatin folding to higher structural orders. In addition, the hypomethylation of heterochromatin at H3-K4 and K79 results in active transcriptional activity.
Euchromatin Vs Heterochromatin- The Differences
Euchromatin vs Heterochromatin differences are clear because we know one has no coiling. And it is the form of chromatin with tight packing, while the other is a form that has light packing. We’ve listed the differences between Euchromatin vs Heterochromatin to help you understand how they vary.
| Category | Euchromatin | Heterochromatin |
| DNA Conformation | It is unfolded and compressed, giving birth to a beaded structure. | Histone protein condenses it, which results in its folds. |
| Transcription | It is transcriptionally active. | It is transcriptionally inactive. |
| Stain | It is lightly stained. | Stains darkly. |
| Genes | The genes found here are active or will be active soon. | The genes found here are inactive. |
| DNA Content | It is made with less amount of lightly compressed DNA. | More tightly compressed DNA comprise it. |
| Genome Content | It forms almost 90%-92% of the genome. | It forms almost 8%-10% part of the genome. |
| Regions | Euchromatin has non-sticky regions. | Heterochromatin has sticky regions. |
| Location | It is found in the innermost part of the nucleus and is present in both and eukaryotes and prokaryotes. | Present in the periphery of the nucleus. Only present in eukaryotes. |
| Function | Euchromatin allows variation and transcription of the gene. | Heterochromatin allows gene expression and maintains the genome’s structural integrity. |
| Heteropycnosis | It does not exhibit heteropycnosis. | It exhibits heteropycnosis. |
| Replication | It replicates earlier than heterochromatin. | It replicates later than euchromatin. |
| Types | It has only one type, which is constitutive euchromatin. | It has two types such as facultative and constitutive heterochromatin. |
| Transcriptional Activity | It exhibits low transcriptional activity. | It exhibits high transcriptional activity. |
| Genetic Impact | It is not impacted by various generic procedures. | Genetic procedures impacts it. |
Putting It All Together
Concluding, we have already described the differences between euchromatin vs heterochromatin here. Moreover, the article also defines euchromatin and heterochromatin, including their functions, structural composition, and types. Additionally, upon thoroughly reading the article, it certainly clears up confusion about the DNA territories.
Lastly, if you have any questions, share them with us in the comment box below, and we will get back to you with an answer.
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