Summary
Using DAPI staining after pretreatment with distamycin A we detected a familial deficiency of chromosome 16 heterochromatin. A distinct positively staining band, however, was seen after C-banding. Thus, by using these different heterochromatin staining methods, heterogeneity of the constitutive heterochromatin in the centromeric region of human chromosome 16 was indicated. The same C-banding procedure was also applied to a previously described familial deficiency of chromosome 9 heterochromatin evidenced using distamycin A/DAPI staining and G 11 staining (Buys et al., 1979). In this case a C-band appeared to be virtually absent on the relevant chromosome. These staining methods may be valuable tools in the study of chromosome polymorphisms.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arrighi, F. E., Hsu, T. C.: Localization of heterochromatin in human chromosomes. Cytogenetics 10, 81–86 (1971)
Buys, C. H. C. M., Ypma, J. M. M., Gouw, W. L.: Complete deficiency of constitutive heterochromatin on a human chromosome 9. Hum. Genet. 49, 129–132 (1979)
Evans, H. J., Gosden, J. R., Mitchell, A. R., Buckland, R. A.: Location of human satellite DNA's on the Y chromosome. Nature 251, 346–347 (1974)
Gosden, J. R., Mitchell, A. R., Buckland, R. A., Clayton, R. P., Evans, H. J.: The location of four human satellite DNAs on human chromosomes. Exp. Cell Res. 92, 148–158 (1975)
Jones, K. W., Corneo, G.: Location of satellite and homogeneous DNA sequences on human chromosomes. Nature (New Biol.) 223, 268–271 (1971)
Jones, K. W., Prosser, J., Corneo, G., Ginelli, E.: Chromosomal location of human satellite DNA III. Chromosoma 42, 445–451 (1973)
Jones, K. W., Purdom, I. F., Prosser, J., Corneo, G.: The chromosomal localization of human satellite DNA I. Chromosoma 49, 161–171 (1974)
Kurnitt, D. M., Shafit, B. R., Maio, J. J.: Multiple satellite deoxyribonucleic acids in the calf and their relation to the sex chromosomes. J. Mol. Biol. 81, 273–284 (1973)
Lubit, B. W., Schreck, R. R., Miller, O. J., Erlanger, B. F.: Human chromosome structure as revealed by an immunoperoxidase staining procedure. Exp. Cell Res. 89, 426–429 (1974)
Magenis, R. E., Donlon, T. A., Wyandt, H. E.: Giemsa-11 staining of chromosome 1: A newly described heteromorphism. Science 202, 64–65 (1978)
Marx, K. A., Allen, J. R., Hearst, J. E.: Chromosomal localizations by in situ hybridization of the repetitious human DNA families and evidence of their satellite DNA equivalents. Chromosoma 59, 23–42 (1976)
Miller, O. J., Schnedl, W., Allen, J., Erlanger, B. F.: 5-Methylcytosine localised in mammalian constitutive heterochromatin. Nature 251, 636–637 (1974)
Moar, M. H., Purdom, I. F., Jones, K. W.: Influence of temperature on the detectability and chromosomal distribution of specific DNA sequences by in situ hybridization. Chromosoma 53, 345–359 (1975)
Pardue, M. L., Gall, J. G.: Chromosomal localisation of mouse satellite DNA. Science 168, 1356–1358 (1970)
Rubenstein, C. T., Verma, R. S., Dosik, H.: Centromeric-banding (C) of sequentially Q-and R-banded human chromosomes. Hum. Genet. 40, 279–283 (1978)
Salomon, R., Kaye, A. M., Herzberg, M.: Mouse nuclear satellite DNA: 5-Methylcytosine content, pyrimidine isoplith distribution and electron microscopic appearance. J. Mol. Biol. 43, 581–592 (1969)
Saunders, G. F., Chuang, C. R., Sawada, H.: Genome complexity and in vivo transcription in human leukemic leukocytes. Acta Haematol. 54, 227–233 (1975)
Saunders, C. F., Hsu, T. C., Getz, M. J., Simes, E. L., Arrighi, F. E.: Locations of a human satellite DNA in human chromosomes. Nature (New Biol.) 236, 244–246 (1972)
Schnedl, W., Mikelsaar, A.-V., Breitenbach, M., Dann, O.: DIPI and DAPI: Fluorescence-banding with only negligible fading. Hum. Genet. 36, 167–172 (1977)
Schweizer, D.: Reverse fluorescent chromosome banding with chromomycin and DAPI. Chromosoma 58, 307–324 (1976)
Schweizer, D., Ambros, P., Andrle, M.: Modification of DAPI-banding on human chromosomes by prestaining with a DNA-binding oligopeptide antibiotic, distamycin A. Exp. Cell Res. 111, 327–332 (1978)
Wisniewski, L., Purdy, G., Hassold, T., Wilson, C., Bentley, K., Hackel, E., Higgins, J. V.: An interstitial deletion of chromosome 9 in a girl with multiple congenital anomalies. J. Med. Genet. 14, 455–459 (1977)
Yunis, J. J., Yasmineh, W. G.: Heterochromatin, satellite DNA and cell function. Science 171, 1200–1209 (1971)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Buys, C.H.C.M., Anders, G.J.P.A., Gouw, W.L. et al. A comparison of constitutive heterochromatin staining methods in two cases of familial heterochromatin deficiencies. Hum Genet 52, 133–138 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284607
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284607