title: Quinacrine fluorescence and Q-banding patterns of human chromosomes. I. Effects of varying factors.
abstract: Various factors involved in the production of "Q-bands" have been studied. It was found that a Zeiss standard WL fluorescent microscope required a shorter exposure time for photography as compared to a Zeiss photomicroscope. The minimal exposure time was obtained when the standard WL microscope was equipped with a UV light source containing a DC powered mercury burner and a concave mirror. Further, the pH and type of water used in the staining, washing and mounting of the slide were also important factors in producing clear and well differentiated "Q-bands". It also appears that the factors involved in the production of "Q-bands" effect the enhancement or quenching of fluorescence by poly d(A-T)-poly d(A-T) and salmon sperm DNA or poly dG-poly dC respectively. This preliminary report also suggests that DNA or polynucleotides with a specific base sequence may play an important role in Q-banding patterns on chromosomes.
mesh_terms: D002875:Chromosomes; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010779:Photofluorography; D010781:Photography; D011796:Quinacrine; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D011796:Quinacrine