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Morphologische Variabilität der chromosomalen Funktionsstrukturen in den Spermatocytenkernen von Drosophila-Arten

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Abstract

In the genus Drosophila the nuclei of primary spermatocytes contain special chromosomal functional structures which are organized as the pairs of lateral loops in lampbrush chromosomes. In each species the loops have their own species specific morphology. The morphological variability of the spermatocyte structures in 54 Drosophila species is described. Although the nuclei of spermatids are synthetically inactive, the cells are able to synthesize proteins which are essential for the differentiation of sperm. Therefore, special mechanisms are necessary for the preformation, stabilization, and programmed packaging of gene products during the spermatocyte stage. This may be the function of the spermatocyte loops.

Zusammenfassung

In der Gattung Drosophila treten in den Zellkernen von primären Spermatocyten chromosomale Funktionsstrukturen auf, die im Prinzip wie die lateralen Schleifenpaare von Lampenbürstenchromosomen organisiert sind. Die Form der Schleifen ist bei jeder Art in artspezifischer Weise abgewandelt. Die morphologische Variabilität der Spermatocytenstrukturen von 54 Drosophila-Arten wird beschrieben. Das genetische Material in den Schleifen spielt möglicherweise eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Vorfertigung, Stabilisierung und programmierten Verpackung von Genprodukten, die erst in späteren Stadien während der Spermiohistogenese in den Zellen verbraucht werden.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. W. E. Ankel, meinem verehrten Lehrer, zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.

Verfasser dankt der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft für eine Reisebeihilfe. Die Untersuchungen werden jetzt ebenfalls mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft fortgesetzt. Mein besonderer Dank gilt Herrn Prof. Dr. W. S. Stone und seinen Mitarbeitern von der Genetics Foundation an der Universität von Texas in Austin. Die Zeichnungen wurden von Herrn E. Freiberg angefertigt.

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Hess, O. Morphologische Variabilität der chromosomalen Funktionsstrukturen in den Spermatocytenkernen von Drosophila-Arten. Chromosoma 21, 429–445 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336951

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