title: Bandign isolated metaphase chromosomes by a sequential flurescent G/Q technique.
abstract: G/Q-banding is a new, rapid, fluorescent technique for banding isolated chromosomes that incorporates characteristics of both G- and Q- banding. G-bands, while easily characterized, are often inconsistent when using isolated chromosomes, and Q-bands, while reliable, fade rapidly under UV exposure, making prolonged observation and photography difficult. G/Q-banding combines these techniques to sequentially utilize quinacrine staining over Giemsa banding to produce slow-fading fluorescent G/Q-bands. The background fluorescence in G/Q preparations fades quickly under continued UV exposure, while the chromosomes remain brightly banded and can be observed and photographed for at least five minutes. G/Q-banding was extended to whole cell chromosome spreads and produced results identical to those obtained with isolated chromosomes. Whole cell karyotypes indicate that G/Q-bands generally correspond to Q-bands. Advantages of G/Q-banding as a unique and universal technique over current double-staining procedures are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001399:Azure Stains; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000032:analysis*; D006224:Cricetinae; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008938:Mitosis; D011796:Quinacrine; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014357:Trypsin
chemical_list: D001399:Azure Stains; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014357:Trypsin; D011796:Quinacrine