Characterization of heterochromatin by sequential counterstain-enhanced fluorescence in three domestic bird species: Meleagris gallopavo, Columba livia domestica, and Anser anser L.
The karyotypes of three avian species--Meleagris gallopavo, Anser anser L., and Columba livia domestica--were investigated by means of counterstain-enhanced fluorescence techniques (chromomycin A3/distamycin A/DAPI followed by DAPI/actinomycin D staining). A heterochromatin characterization of macro- and microchromosomes was performed. CMA3-positive (GC-rich) regions in the turkey included the telomeres of chromosomes 1, 3, 4, and Z. In the goose, the chromosome 2 was also CMA3-bright at the telomeres. The W chromosome possessed large amounts of CMA3-bright material on the short arm in both the turkey and the goose. Two types of centromeric heterochromatin were distinguished on acro- to telocentric chromosomes 6 to 14 in the pigeon. The microchromosomal heterochromation of the turkey and goose was GC-rich but had a high degree of variation. In the pigeon, several microchromosomes possessed predominantly AT-rich heterochromatin.
Mayr
B
B
Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, Veterinary University, Vienna, Austria.
Lambrou
M
M
Kalat
M
M
Schleger
W
W
Bigelbach
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001482:Base Composition; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D010856:Columbidae / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005777:Geese / Q000235:genetics*; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000737:chemistry; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D014422:Turkeys / Q000235:genetics*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006570:Heterochromatin