title: Distribution of chromosome 18 and X centric heterochromatin in the interphase nucleus of cultured human cells.
abstract: In situ hybridization of human chromosome 18 and X-specific alphoid DNA-probes was performed in combination with three dimensional (3D) and two dimensional (2D) image analysis to study the interphase distribution of the centric heterochromatin (18c and Xc) of these chromosomes in cultured human cells. 3D analyses of 18c targets using confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated a nonrandom disposition in 73 amniotic fluid cell nuclei. The shape of these nuclei resembled rather flat cylinders or ellipsoids and targets were preferentially arranged in a domain around the nuclear center, but close to or associated with the nuclear envelope. Within this domain, however, positionings of the two targets occurred independently from each other, i.e., the two targets were observed with similar frequencies at the same (upper or lower) side of the nuclear envelope as those on opposite sides. This result strongly argues against any permanent homologous association of 18c. A 2D analytical approach was used for the rapid evaluation of 18c positions in over 4000 interphase nuclei from normal male and female individuals, as well as individuals with trisomy 18 and Bloom's syndrome. In addition to epithelially derived amniotic fluid cells, investigated cell types included in vitro cultivated fibroblastoid cells established from fetal lung tissue and skin-derived fibroblasts. In agreement with the above 3D observations 18c targets were found significantly closer (P less than 0.01) to the center of the 2D nuclear image (CNI) and to each other in all these cultures compared to a random distribution derived from corresponding ellipsoid or cylinder model nuclei. For comparison, a chromosome X-specific alphoid DNA probe was used to investigate the 2D distribution of chromosome X centric heterochromatin in the same cell types. Two dimensional Xc-Xc and Xc-CNI distances fit a random distribution in diploid normal and Bloom's syndrome nuclei, as well as in nuclei with trisomy X. The different distributions of 18c and Xc targets were confirmed by the simultaneous staining of these targets in different colors within individual nuclei using a double in situ hybridization approach.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, University of Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Popp
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Scholl
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jauch
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stelzer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cremer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cremer
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D001816:Bloom Syndrome / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 / Q000032:analysis; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007399:Interphase; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D014314:Trisomy; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D006570:Heterochromatin