Abstract
Chromosomes and interphase nuclei can be spread on the surface of water in a simplified Langmuir trough. Interphase nuclei of Triturus erythrocytes display fibers with a diameter of about 250–300 Å. Very similar fibers are seen in metaphase chromosomes of cultured human cells. Fibers from grasshopper spermatocyte chromosomes (prophase) are more variable in diameter, and many fibers thinner than 200 Å extend laterally from the chromosome. In the grasshopper spermatocyte, fibers align in parallel to form plates. It is suggested that the 250–300 Å fibers may represent an inactive state of the chromosome material, and that only the thinner fibers are involved in RNA synthesis. The 250–300 Å fibers may result from the folding or coiling of a thinner fiber having the approximate dimensions of the nucleohistone molecule.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, T. F.: Techniques for the preservation of three-dimensional structure in preparing specimens for the electron microscope. Trans. N. Y. Acad. Sci., Ser. II, 13, 130–134 (1951).
Bopp-Hassenkamp, G.: Weitere elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am pflanzlichen Zellkern während der Meiosis. Z. Zellforsch. 52, 238–247 (1960).
Cameron, I. L., and D. M. Prescott: RNA and protein metabolism in the maturation of the nucleated chicken erythrocyte. Exp. Cell Res. 30, 609–612 (1963).
DuPraw, E. J.: The organization of nuclei and chromosomes in honeybee embryonic cells. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 53, 161–168 (1965).
Fawcett, D. W., and F. Witebsky: Observations on the ultrastructure of nucleated erythrocytes and thrombocytes, with particular reference to the structural basis of their discoidal shape. Z. Zellforsch. 62, 785–806 (1964).
Fernandez-Moran, H.: Examination of brain tumor tissue with the electron microscope. Ark. Zool. A 40, 1–15 (1948).
Gall, J. G.: Chromosome fibers from an interphase nucleus. Science 139, 120–121 (1963).
Gibbons, I. R., and J. R. G. Bradfield: The fine structure of nuclei during sperm maturation in the locust. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 3, 133–140 (1957).
Hay, E. D., and J. P. Revel: The fine structure of the DNP component of the nucleus, J. Cell Biol. 16, 29–51 (1963).
Kaufmann, B. P., H. Gay, and M. McDonald: Organizational patterns within chromosomes. Int. Rev. Cytol. 9, 77–127 (1960).
Kleinschmidt, A., u. R. K. Zahn: Über Desoxyribonucleinsäure-Molekeln in Protein-Mischfilmen. Z. Naturforschg. 14b, 770–779 (1959).
Miller, O. L.: Pine structure of lampbrush chromosome. Nat. Cancer Inst. Monogr. 18, 79–99 (1965).
Parsons, D. F.: Negative staining of thinly spread cells and associated virus. J. Cell Biol. 16, 620–626 (1963).
Ris, H.: Ultrastructure and molecular organization of genetic systems. Canad. J. Genet. Cytol. 3, 95–120 (1961).
—, and B. L. Chandler: The ultrastructure of genetic systems in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Cold Spr. Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 28, 1–8 (1963).
Stoeckenius, W.: Some observations on negatively stained mitochondria. J. Cell Biol. 17, 443–454 (1963).
Stong, C. L.: How the amateur can experiment with films only one molecule thick, Sci. Amer. 205, 261–274 (1961).
Wolfe, S. L.: The fine structure of isolated chromosomes. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 12, 104–112 (1965a); - The fine structure of isolated metaphase chromosomes, Exp. Cell Res. 37, 45–53 (1965b).
—, and B. John: The organization and ultrastructure of male meiotic chromosomes in Oncopeltus fasciatus Chromosoma (Berl.) 17, 85–103 (1965).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gall, J.G. Chromosome fibers studied by a spreading technique. Chromosoma 20, 221–233 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335209
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335209