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Human chromosomal bands: nested structure, high-definition map and molecular basis

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Abstract

In this paper, we report investigations on the nested structure, the high-definition mapping, and the molecular basis of the classical Giemsa and Reverse bands in human chromosomes. We found the rules according to which the ∼3,200 isochores of the human genome are assembled in high (850-band) resolution bands, and the latter in low (400-band) resolution bands, so forming the nested mosaic structure of chromosomes. Moreover, we identified the borders of both sets of chromosomal bands at the DNA sequence level on the basis of our recent map of isochores, which represent the highest-resolution, ultimate bands. Indeed, beyond the 100-kb resolution of the isochore map, the guanine and cytosine (GC) profile of DNA becomes turbulent owing to the contribution of specific sequences such as exons, introns, interspersed repeats, CpG islands, etc. The isochore-based level of definition (100 kb) of chromosomal bands is much higher than the cytogenetic definition level (2–3 Mb). The major conclusions of this work concern the high degree of order found in the structure of chromosomal bands, their mapping at a high definition, and the solution of the long-standing problem of the molecular basis of chromosomal bands, as these could be defined on the basis of compositional DNA properties alone.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Molecular Evolution, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy

    Maria Costantini, Oliver Clay, Fabio Auletta & Giorgio Bernardi

  2. Dipartimento di Biologia Animale “M. La Greca”, University of Catania, 95124, Catania, Italy

    Concetta Federico & Salvatore Saccone

Authors
  1. Maria Costantini
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  2. Oliver Clay
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  3. Concetta Federico
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  4. Salvatore Saccone
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  5. Fabio Auletta
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  6. Giorgio Bernardi
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Correspondence to Giorgio Bernardi.

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Communicated by S. Henikoff

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Costantini, M., Clay, O., Federico, C. et al. Human chromosomal bands: nested structure, high-definition map and molecular basis. Chromosoma 116, 29–40 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00412-006-0078-0

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