A comparison of constitutive heterochromatin staining methods in two cases of familial heterochromatin deficiencies.
Using DAPI staining after pretreatment with distamycin A we detected a familial deficiency of chromosome 16 heterochromatin. A distinct positively staining band, however, was seen after C-banding. Thus, by using these different heterochromatin staining methods, heterogeneity of the constitutive heterochromatin in the centromeric region of human chromosome 16 was indicated. The same C-banding procedure was also applied to a previously described familial deficiency of chromosome 9 heterochromatin evidenced using distamycin A/DAPI staining and G 11 staining (Buys et al., 1979). In this case a C-band appeared to be virtually absent on the relevant chromosome. These staining methods may be valuable tools in the study of chromosome polymorphisms.
D001399:Azure Stains; D002871:Chromosome Banding / Q000379:methods*; D002902:Chromosomes, Human, 16-18 / Q000032:analysis*; D002906:Chromosomes, Human, 6-12 and X / Q000032:analysis; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000032:analysis; D004214:Distamycins; D005260:Female; D006570:Heterochromatin; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D001399:Azure Stains; D004276:DNA, Satellite; D004214:Distamycins; D006570:Heterochromatin; D007211:Indoles