N-band polymorphism of human acrocentric chromosomes and its relevance to satellite association.
With the aid of Q- and N-banding techniques we investigated the relationship between the length of satellite stalks, the appearance of N-bands and the frequency of satellite association of individual acrocentric chromosomes in the cells of seven individuals, including one male with a satellited and small Y-chromosomes. The appearance of N-bands, seemed to be a constant and characteristic property of individual acrocentric chromosomes, independent of the status of concentration of the chromosomes at metaphase. The homolog with longer satellite stalks had larger N-bands and participated in satellite association at a higher frequency than the one with shorter stalks. It appeared that N-bands were present along the whole length of the satellite stalk, the size of which could possibly reflect the amount of rDNA present in the nucleolar organizers in human chromosomes.
D002875:Chromosomes / Q000032:analysis*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D004247:DNA