C-band differentiation between the chromosomes of two subspecies of the chironomid midgeChironomus thummi

Summary The metaphase chromosomes ofChironomus th. thummi contain approximately 17% more pericentric C-band heterochromatin than the chromosomes ofChironomus th. piger with 11% heterochromatin. InCh. th. thummi, the proportion of heterochromatin appeared to be much larger in metaphase chromosomes than in polytene chromosomes. This discrepancy is interpreted as being due to the specific chromosome organization and not as the result of an underreplication of heterochromatin during polytenization.     

Galactose induced Balbiani-ring-like structures in chromosomes I and II of Chironomus thummi.

In one strain of Chironomus thummi, galactose feeding of the larvae induced the appearance of 2 Balbiani-ring-like structures on salivary gland chromosomes I and II. This phenomenon may be related to the galactose induction of BR6 in C. pallidivittatus.     

Centromeric heterochromatin in the karyotype of the male Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)

Summary The chromosomes of a male Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) have been studied by C-banding and H³ thymidine labelling. It is suggested that heterochromatin may have accumulated on the 14th pair of autosomes before its translocation to the Y-chromosome.     

Heterochromatin characterization and distribution in the chromosomes of two populations ofIdotea baltica basteri Audouin, 1826 (Isopoda,Valvifera)

Two mediterranean populations ofIdotea baltica basteri from Messina and Naples showed a set of chromosomes composed by 58 all-biarmed chromosomes. The heterochromatin was located in the pericentromeric region of the chromosomes, and its composition appeared heterogeneous. In fact, not all the homologs showed heterochromatin resistant to digestion with three restriction enzymes (Alu I, Hae III and Sau 3A). Moreover, the two populations showed polymorphism in a band of G+C-rich telomeric heterochromatin, which was present only in the population from Messina. It is hypothesized that chromosomal polymorphism might reflect the geographical isolation of the two populations. It is also suggested that a process of diversification is taking place.     

Distribution of sister chromatid exchanges in different types of chromatin in the X chromosome ofMicrotus cabrerae

We used the X chromosomes ofMicrotus cabrerae as a model to analyze the distribution of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) on different types of chromatin, because of the marked heterogeneity of the heterochromatin in the entire short arm and a portion of the long arm of this chromosome. Computer-simulated distributions, according to an algorithm that makes it possible to modify the distribution on the basis of any possible hypothesis, were compared with real distributions by log-linear models. We found that the frequency of SCEs in different types of heterochromatin was higher than that expected for a random distribution, and located an SCE hot-spot at the junction between euchromatin and heterochromatin. The possible relationship between the distribution of SCEs and base composition or chromatin accessibility are discussed.     

Heterochromatization in opossum,Didelphys virginiana

Conclusion Somatic heterochromatization of the opossum,D. virginiana, was studied from prophase and tritiated thymidine-labeled metaphase chromosome preparations. In both sexes of this mammal, a number of prophase autosomes and the sex chromosomes were observed displaying deeply stained condensed areas. These chromosomal areas were interpreted as evidence for heterochromatization. The extent of heterochromatization in the opossum was found much greater in certain autosomes than either theX orY chromosome alone. This assertion that some opossum autosomes possess more heterochromatin than the sex chromosomes was supported by data collected on the terminal labeling patterns of the chromosomes. Metaphase autoradiographs prepared from cultured leucocytes of the animals unequivocally suggested that certain opossum autosomes completed replication later than the sex chromosomes. If one assumes that there is heterochromatin in the autosomes, as the evidence suggests, then it merely becomes a question as to what block of heterochromatin replicates last — a phenomenon that is probably size dependent.

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Résumé L'héterochromatisation somatique de l'opossum (Didelphys virginiana) a été étudiée sur des préparations de chromosomes aux stades de la prophase et de la métaphase, la thymidine ayant été utilisée comme marqueur. Dans les 2 sexes de ce mammifère de nombreux autosomes et les chromosomes sexuels montrent, à la prophase, des plages denses fortement colorées. Ces plages chromosomiales ont été interprétées comme un signe évident d'héterochromatisation. L'héterochromatisation est beaucoup plus accentuée dans certains autosomes que dans les chromosomesX ouY. Les autoradiographies de stades métaphasiques dans des préparations effectuées de leucocytes en cultures suggèrent d'une façon non équivoque que certains autosomes de l'opossum achèvent leur réplication plus tardivement que les chromosomes sexuels. Si l'on assume que l'héterochromatine est présente dans les autosomes, comme le démontrent nos observations, il semble évident que l'héterochromatine autosomale a un rôle significatif dans le développement.

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Supported in part by Baylor University College of Medicine General Research Grant (No. P-13) and grants from the James Picker Foundation and the Texas Heart Association. The auther wishes to thank Dr.W. Hill for his help at the vivarium and MissMarion Gay and MissShirley Powell for technical assistance. The editorial assistance of MissMarilyn Morningstar is also appreciated.     

High resolution of heterochromatin of Drosophila melanogaster by distamycin A

A DNA-binding AT-specific antibiotic, distamycin A, was used as inhibitor of the condensation process of the heterochromatic regions in Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cells. By this treatment the structural organization of heterochromatin at interphase is preserved until metaphase. The different patterns observed are interpreted as chronological steps in the condensation process.     

Differential giemsa staining of the holokinetic chromosomes of the two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari,Tetranychidae)

Summary The chromosomes of the spider miteTetranychus urticae can be stained differentially with Giemsa-staining methods for G-bands. C-band patterns representing constitutive heterochromatin could not be detected. Their absence may be related to the holokinetic condition of the chromosomes.     

Heterochromatin associated with active versus inactive centromeres of mouse replicates at different times

Summary A subline of mouse L-cells carries a dicentric chromosome in which one centromere always separates prematurely. This centromere is not involved in the dynamics of chromosome migration and is considered inactive. By use of anti-BRdU antibody binding to BRdU-treated chromosomes it is shown that the pericentric constitutive heterochromatin associated with the prematurely separating centromere replicates earlier than its counterpart associated with the active centromere and even before several euchromatic regions in the genome. These results point to a possible mechanism by which dicentric chromosomes segregate equationally.     

Heterochromatin associated with active versus inactive centromeres of mouse replicates at different times

A subline of mouse L-cells carries a dicentric chromosome in which one centromere always separates prematurely. This centromere is not involved in the dynamics of chromosome migration and is considered inactive. By use of anti-BRdU antibody binding to BRdU-treated chromosomes it is shown that the pericentric constitutive heterochromatin associated with the prematurely separating centromere replicates earlier than its counterpart associated with the active centromere and even before several euchromatic regions in the genome. These results point to a possible mechanism by which dicentric chromosomes segregate equationally.     

Die Genomsonderung in den Mitosen der Rattenleber

Summary Model squashes with gelatine cubes containing 8 files like the chromosomes ofBellevalia romana (2n=8) showed the chromosomes only in groupings that correspond to the original position of metaphase chromosomes. The metaphase chromosomes in root tip cells ofBellevalia romana are arranged at random; there is neither somatic pairing nor genome segregation (= grouping of metaphase chromosomes into two complete chromosome sets). In contradiction to these results, the chromosomes in the regenerating liver cells (2n=42) show a certain precentage of grouping into complete genomes. It is concluded that in rat liver cells a mechanism exists which, starting with the genome segregation, may produce a change in chromosome number. Thus these same euploid or aneuploid chromosome numbers can be explained which are really observed in normal and treated rat liver. 4 possibilities of such mechanism are discussed.

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Nach einem Vortrag, gehalten anlässlich des IV. Symposium histologicum internationale Lausanne (Suisse), 5.–8. September 1961.     

Supercontraction of conifer chromosomes under the action of alkylating nitrosocompounds

Summary After treatment of seeds of the Norway spruce and of the Scotch pine with alkylating nitrosocompounds, an extremely strong contraction effect on mitotic metaphase chromosomes was observed in the first cell-cycles of the posttreatment period.     

Galactose induced Balbiani-ring-like structures in chromosomes I and II ofChironomus thummi

Summary In one strain ofChironomus thummi, galactose feeding of the larvae induced the appearance of 2 Balbiani-ring-like structures on salivary gland chromosomes I and II. This phenomenon may be related to the galactose induction of BR6 inC. pallidivittatus.     

The karyotype,C-bands and AgNO3-bands of a lungless salamander from Korea:Onychodactylus fischeri (Boulenger) (Amphibia,Urodela)

The karyotype of a lungless salamander,Onychodactylus fischeri, from Korea was analyzed and compared with that of the Japanese congeneric species,O. japonicus. In both species the diploid karyotype consists of78 chromosomes, including 6 pairs of large chromosomes, 6 pairs of medium-sized ones, and the remaining 27 pairs of microchromosomes. The chromosome number ofO. fischeri, 2n=78, is, like that ofO. japonicus, the largest so far reported in the order Urodela. C-banding showed that constitutive heterochromatin inO. fischeri was mainly in the centromeric regions and near the secondary constrictions of the large chromosomes. AgNO₃-bands were located in the secondary constrictions associated with C-band heterochromatin.     

Die Beeinflussung der Mitose durch Urethan

Summary 2% aqueous solution of urethan causes after 6–10 hours' action on root types ofVicia faba andAllium cepa a shortening of chromosomes, it stops also the metaphase and lowers the rate of mitosis. Probably there is a connection between the lipophile groups, the reduction in surface tension, and the diminution of chromosomes. Dioxan with similar physical properties has the same effect.     

Réarrangements chromosomiques induits par les rayons X chez les Souris de race AKR/Tr

Summary A spontaneous translocated strain of mice (AKR/Tr.) with 36 acrocentric and 2 metacentric chromosomes received 400 R of whole-body X-irradiation. Cytological examination of dividing primary spermatocytes at the diakinesis-first metaphase stage of meiosis showed 6% of cells with chromosomal rearrangements.     

Increased silver stainability of metaphase chromosomes from rat hepatocytes during in vivo hepatocarcinogenesis

Summary Silver stainability of metaphase chromosomes was studied in hepatocytes obtained from rats exposed or not to a partial or complete carcinogenic treatment with diethylnitrosamine and phenobarbital. An increased hyperstaining is reported in the carcinogen-treated animals.     

Increased silver stainability of metaphase chromosomes from rat hepatocytes during in vivo hepatocarcinogenesis

Silver stainability of metaphase chromosomes was studied in hepatocytes obtained from rats exposed or not to a partial or complete carcinogenic treatment with diethylnitrosamine and phenobarbital. An increased hyperstaining is reported in the carcinogen-treated animals.