Summary
The fluorescent banding patterns of human chromosomes and mouse chromosomes (from a tumour line MSWBS) following binding with a benzimidazol derivative (Hoechst 33258) were studied. Constitutive heterochromatic blocks in both materials fluoresced intensively with this stain. DNAase digestion or alkali denaturation and reassociation of the preparations increased the specifity of this fluorochrome to the constitutive heterochromatic blocks. The possible reasons for this differential binding of the stain to the heterochromatin are briefly discussed.
Zusammenfassung
Fluorescenz-Bandenmuster der Chromosomen von Mensch und Maus (letztere von dem Tumor-Zellstamm MSWBS) wurden nach Bindung mit einer Benzimidazol-Verbindung (Hoechst 33258) untersucht. Konstitutive Heterochromatin-Blöcke fluorescieren bei beiden Arten intensiv mit diesem Farbstoff. DNAase-Behandlung der Alkali-Denaturierung und Reassoziation der Präparationen erhöhen die Spezifität dieses Fluorochroms bezüglich der konstitutiven Heterochromatin-Blöcke. Die möglichen Ursachen für diese spezielle Bindung dieses Farbstoffs an das Heterochromatin werden kurz diskutiert.
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Supported by Swedish Atomic Research Council, Swedish Cancer Research Society and Swedish Natural Research Council. We are grateful to Prof. G. Klein for the MSWBS tumour cells.
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Raposa, T., Natarajan, A.T. Fluorescence banding pattern of human and mouse chromosomes with a benzimidazol derivative (hoechst 33258). Hum Genet 21, 221–226 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279016
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279016