Chromosome structure as revealed by a combined chemical and immunochemical procedure.
Human metaphase chromosomes were photooxidized in the presence of methylene blue, a process that destroys guanine residues in DNA. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that such chromosomes reacted with a cytosine-specific antibody revealing a consistent fluorescent banding pattern by which each chromosome could be identified. The observed fluorescent patterns were the reverse of those produced in formamide-denatured chromosomes treated with an antibody specific for adenine and of the patterns obtained with quinacrine and with Giemsa staining by the G-banding techniques. The patterns were identical to Giemsa R-banding patterns. The chromosome banding patterns, therefore, appeared to reflect DNA base composition, indicating the feasibility of a combined chemical-immunochemical investigation of the chemical organization of chromosomes.
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D002875:Chromosomes; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008722:Methods; D008751:Methylene Blue; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010777:Photochemistry; D011796:Quinacrine; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D011796:Quinacrine; D008751:Methylene Blue