Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differential digestion of the centromeric heterochromatic regions of the 5-azacytidine-decondensed human chromosomes 1, 9, 15, and 16 by NdeII and Sau3AI restriction endonucleases

  • Published:
Genetica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A study on the factors involved in chromosome digestion by restriction endonuclease was carried out on 5-azacytidine treated and untreated human chromosomes 1, 9, 15 and 16 by using NdeII and Sau3AI isoschizomers. After treatment with 5-azacytidine, chromosomes 1, 9, 15, and 16 showed two differentiated areas at the centromeric regions: the centromere, fully condensed, and the pericentromeric heterochromatin, decondensed. Chromosomes not treated with 5-azacytidine after digestion with Sau3AI and NdeII showed all the centromeric regions undigested, except pair number 1, digested at the pericentromeric area. Digestion of the 5-azacytidine decondensed chromosomes with Sau3AI and NdeII showed the centromeres undigested in the four chromosome pairs while the pericentromeric heterochromatin appeared largely digested. Other factors, different to target distribution, are necessary to explain the pattern of restriction endonuclease digestion observed in this communication.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agresti, A., G. Rainaldi, A. Lobbiani, I. Magnani, R. Di Lernia, R. Meneveri, A.G. Siccardi & E. Ginelli, 1987. Chromosomal location by in situ hybridization of the human Sau3A family of DNA repeats. Hum. Genet. 75: 326–332.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Antequera, F., D. Maclead & A.P. Bird, 1989. Specific protection of methylated CpGs in mammalian nuclei. Cell 58: 509–517.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Babu, A. & R.S. Verma, 1987. Chromosome structure: Euchromatin and heterochromatin. Int. Rev. Cytol. 108: 1–60.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi, M.S., N.O. Bianchi, G.E. Pantelias & S. Wolff, 1985. The mechanism and pattern of banding induced by restriction endonucleases in human chromosomes. Chromosma 91: 131–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burkholder, G.D., 1989. Morphological and biochemical effects of endonucleases on isolated mammalian chromosomesin vitro. Chromosoma 97: 347–355.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Piqueras, J., P. Ludeña, S. De Cabo, M. Velázquez & C. Sentís, 1991. Longitudinal differentiation of the human Yq heterochromatin as revealed by restriction enzyme Taq 1. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 57: 78–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández, J.L., V. Goyanes, C. López-Fernández & J. Gosálvez, 1994. α-Human-satellite DNAs are not susceptible to undercondensation after 5-azacytidine treatment. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 65:92–94.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gosálvez, J., C. López-Fernández, L. Ferruci & R. Mezzanotte, 1989. DNA base sequence is not the only factor for restriction endonulease activity on metaphase chromosomes: Evidence using isoschizomers. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 50: 142–144.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haaf, T. & M. Schmid, 1989. 5-azadeoxycytidine induces under-condensation in the giant X chromosomes ofMicrotus agretis. 1989. Chromosoma 98: 93–98.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kiyama, R., M. Oishi & N. Kand, 1988. Chromosomal localization of Sau3A repetitive DNA revealed by in situ hybridization. Chromosoma 96: 372–375.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kokalj-Vokac, N., A. Almeida, E. Viegas-Pequignot, M. Jeanpierre, B. Malfoy & B. Dutrillaux, 1993. Specific induction of uncoiling and recombination by azacytidine in classical satellite-containing constitutive heterochromatin. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 63: 11–15.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ludeña, P., C. Sentís, A.M. Fernández-Peralta, J.J. González-Aguilera & J. Fernández-Piqueras, 1990. New distinctions between regions of centromeric heterochromatin in human chromosomes by treatments with the isoschizomers NdeII-Sau3AI. Genome 33: 785–788.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meehan, R.R., J.D. Lewis, S. McKay, E.L. Kleiner & A.P. Bird, 1989. Identification of a mammalian protein that binds specifically to DNA containing methylated CpGs. Cell 58: 499–507.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mezzanotte, R., L. Ferrucci, R. Vanni & A.T. Summer, 1985. Some factors affecting the action of restriction endonucleases on human metaphase chromosomes. Exp. Cell Res. 161: 247–253.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez, L., P. Martínez & V. Goyanes, 1991. Analysis of centromere size in human chromosomes 1, 9, 15 and 16 by electron microscopy. Genome 34: 710–713.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmid, M., T. Haaf & D. Grunert, 1984. 5-Azacytidine-induced undercondensations in human chromosomes. Hum. Genet. 67: 257–263.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schnedl, W., V.G. Dev, R. Tantravahi, D.A. Miller, B.F. Erlanger & O.J. Miller, 1975. 5-methylcytosine in heterochromatic regions of chromosomes: chimpanzee and gorilla compared to human. Chromosoma 59: 59–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sumner, A.T., 1990. Chromosome banding. Unwin Hyman Ltd., London. pp. 235–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tagarro, I., A.M. Fernández-Peralta & J.J. González-Aguilera, 1992. Distribution of satellite DNA fractions within major heterochromatic regions of human chromosomes as revealed by PleI and TfiI digestion. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 60: 102–106.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dpto. De Biología Fundamental, Area de Genética, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain

    P. Martínez, C. Bouza, A. Viñas & L. Sánchez

Authors
  1. P. Martínez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Bouza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Viñas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. Sánchez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Martínez, P., Bouza, C., Viñas, A. et al. Differential digestion of the centromeric heterochromatic regions of the 5-azacytidine-decondensed human chromosomes 1, 9, 15, and 16 by NdeII and Sau3AI restriction endonucleases. Genetica 96, 235–238 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01439577

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01439577

Key words

Search

Navigation