The nuclear position of pericentromeric DNA of chromosome 11 appears to be random in G0 and non-random in G1 human lymphocytes.
The nuclear topography of pericentromeric DNA of chromosome 11 was analyzed in G0 (nonstimulated) and G1 [phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated] human lymphocytes by confocal microscopy. In addition to the nuclear center, the centrosome was used as a second point of reference in the three-dimensional (3D) analysis. Pericentromeric DNA of chromosome 11 and the centrosome were labeled using a combination of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunofluorescence. To preserve the 3D morphology of the cells, these techniques were performed on whole cells in suspension. Three-dimensional images of the cells were analyzed with a recently developed 3D software program (Interactive Measurement of Axes and Positioning in 3 Dimensions). The distribution of the chromosome 11 centromeres appeared to be random during the G0 stage but clearly non-random during the G1 stage, when the nuclear center was used as a reference point. Further statistical analysis of the G1 cells revealed that the centromeres were randomly distributed in a shell underlying the nuclear membrane. A topographical relationship between the centrosome and the centromeres appeared to be absent during the G0 and G1 stages of the cell cycle.
Hulspas
R
R
Institute for Applied Radiobiology and Immunology TNO, Department of Molecular Pathology, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Houtsmuller
A B
AB
Krijtenburg
P J
PJ
Bauman
J G
JG
Nanninga
N
N
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002503:Centromere; D002880:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016193:G1 Phase; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle
D004247:DNA