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The formation of polytene chromosomes during macronuclear development of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonychia mytilus

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Abstract

The formation of polytene chromosomes during macronuclear development of the ciliate Stylonychia mytilus was examined in spread electron microscopical preparations. The chromatin organization of early macronuclear anlagen closely resembles the organization of micronuclear chromatin. In the course of polytenization 300 Å chromatin fibers become organized in loop-like structures laterally attached to a thinner axial fiber. It is suggested that this reorganization of chromatin during polytenization is a necessary event for the subsequent chromatin elimination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max Planck Institut für Biologie and Institut für Biologie III, Abt. Zellbiologie, Universität Tübingen, D-7400, Tübingen, Bundesrepublik Deutschland

    G. F. Meyer & H. J. Lipps

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  1. G. F. Meyer
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  2. H. J. Lipps
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Dedicated to Professor W. Beermann on the occasion of his 60th birthday

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Meyer, G.F., Lipps, H.J. The formation of polytene chromosomes during macronuclear development of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonychia mytilus . Chromosoma 82, 309–314 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286113

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286113

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