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Analysis of NORs and NOR-associated heterochromatin in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk

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Abstract

The chromosomes of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were analysed by means of chromomycin A3 (CMA), distamycin A/DAPI (DA/DAPI), DAPI/actinomycin D (DAPI/AMD) and chromomycin A3/distamycin A/DAPI(CDD) fluorescence banding techniques, C-banding, silver staining, N-banding and in situ hybridization with 18S+28S rDNA and telomere probes. 18S+28S rDNA clusters were located on the telomeres of two pairs of submeta/subtelocentric chromosomes. The nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) were associated with bright CMA fluorescence, dull DAPI fluorescence and C- and N-positive bands, but not all four NOR-associated heterochromatin bands showed bright CMA fluorescence in a given cell; intra- and interindividual variability was found in this character. Additional non-ribosomal C-bands did not show any differential fluorescent behaviour.

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Marti´nez-Expo´sito, M.J., Me´ndez, J. & Pasantes, J.J. Analysis of NORs and NOR-associated heterochromatin in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. Chromosome Res 5, 268–273 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018475804613

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