Demonstration of Y/autosomal translocations using distamycin A.
The condensation of the brightly fluorescing Y-heterochromatin is prevented by cultivating leukocytes in a medium containing distamycin A. This technique provides a reliable method for the identification of those Y/autosomal translocations in which Y heterochromatin is involved. A case of a familiar Y/22 translocation and the distamycin A technique are described.
D002904:Chromosomes, Human, 21-22 and Y; D003470:Culture Media; D004214:Distamycins; D005260:Female; D006570:Heterochromatin; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D011758:Pyrroles; D012730:Sex Chromosomes; D014178:Translocation, Genetic; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000187:drug effects
D003470:Culture Media; D004214:Distamycins; D006570:Heterochromatin; D011758:Pyrroles