Transcription Complexes of Chromatin Showing a Beads-like Structure of Heterogeneous Ribonucleoprotein chains

Transcription complexes of nonribosomal chromatin in primary spermatocyte nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster were studied under the electron microscope. Microcentrifugation techniques allowed direct visualization of chromatin transcription complexes which occurred as various forms of heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein chains along a beaded pattern of chromatin fibers. The heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein chains were composed of globular particles linked by thin strands and showed either a tangled twig-like structure or an extended beads-like structure.