Abstract
A newly developed technique allows cytological (light microscope level) chromosome preparations to be examined at the electron microscopic level. Ultrathin (50 nm) sections of highly condensed Hela cell metaphase chromosomes show the characteristic mitotic chromosome morphology. In addition a fibrous network (presumably chromosome fibers) can be seen within them. Fibers appear to be gathered at foci along each chromatid. Treatment of chromosomes with trypsin in a trypsin/G-banding procedure reduces the amount of staining material at the electron microscopic level and results in more prominent foci. Thicker (100 nm) sections of less condensed chromosomes prepared from human lymphocytes display a banding pattern similar to G-banding, even without pretreatment with proteases.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bahr, G.F.: The fibrous structure of human chromosomes in relation to rearrangements and aberrations; a theoretical consideration. Federation Proc. 34, 2209–2217 (1975)
Bahr, G.F., Golomb, H.M.: Constancy of a 200 Å fiber in human chromatin and chromosomes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 46, 247–254 (1974)
Bak, A.L., Zeuthen, J., Crick, F.H.C.: Higher-order structure of human mitotic chromosomes. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 74, 1595–1599 (1977)
Brody, Th.: Histones in cytological preparations. Exp. Cell Res. 85, 255–263 (1974)
Burkholder, G.D.: Electron microscopic visualization of chromosomes banded with trypsin. Nature (Lond.) 247, 292–294 (1974)
Burkholder, G.C.: The ultrastructure of G- and C-banded chromosomes. Exp. Cell Res. 90, 269–278 (1975)
Caspersson, T., Farber, S., Foley, G.E., Kudynowski, J., Modest, E.J., Simonson, E., Wagh, U., Zech, L.: Chemical differentiation along metaphase chromosomes. Exp. Cell Res. 49, 219–222 (1968)
Comings, D.E., Riggs, A.D.: Molecular mechanisms of chromosome pairing, folding and function. Nature (Lond.) 233, 48–50 (1971)
Evans, H.J.: Some facts and fancies relating to chromosome structure in man. Advanc. Hum. Cytogenet. 8, 347–438 (1978)
Matsukuma, S., Utakoji, T.: Uneven extraction of protein in Chinese hamster chromosomes during G-staining procedures. Exp. Cell Res. 97, 297–303 (1976)
Retief, A.E., Rüchel, R.: Histones removed by fixation: Their role in the mechanism of chromosome banding. Exp. Cell Res. 106, 233–237 (1977)
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–213 (1963)
Ruzicka, F., Schwarzacker, H.G.: The ultrastructure of human mitotic chromosomes and interphase nuclei treated by Giemsa banding techniques. Chromosoma (Berl.) 46, 443–454 (1974)
Sivak, A., Wolman, S.R.: Chromosomal proteins in fixed metaphase cells. Histochemistry 42, 345–349 (1974)
Stubblfield, E., Wray, W.: Architecture of Chinese hamster metaphase chromosomes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 32, 262–294 (1971)
Taylor, J.H.: Replication of DNA in chromosomes. In: Molecular genetics, part I (J.H. Taylor, ed.), pp. 65–111. New York: Academic Press 1963
Yunis, J.J.: High resolution of human chromosomes. Science 191, 1268–1270 (1976)
Yunis, J.J., Chandler, M.E.: High resolution chromosome analysis in clinical medicine. Progr. Clinical Pathol. (M. Stefanini and A. Hossaini, eds.) vol. 7, pp. 267–288. New York: Grune and Stratton 1977
Yunis, J.J., Sawyer, J.R., Ball, D.W.: The characterization of high resolution G-banded chromosomes of man. Chromosoma (Berl.) 67, 293–307 (1978)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hozier, J.C., Furcht, L.T. & Wendelshafer-Grabb, G. Structure of human chromosomes visualized at the electron microscopic level. Chromosoma 82, 55–64 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285749
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285749