title: Transmission electron microscopy of chromosomes by longitudinal section preparation: application to fragile X chromosome analysis.
abstract: We developed a method for the preparation of ultrathin longitudinal sections of chromosomes enabling TEM studies of whole chromosomes. By using a novel "repeat chill" method of exposing the glass slide and plastic block interface to liquid nitrogen, it was possible to separate consistently hardened epoxy resin-embedded chromosome spreads from glass slides for ultrathin longitudinal sectioning of entire spreads and of individual chromosomes. The method was applied to analyze the fragile X chromosome. The ultrastructure of centromeres, telomeres, fragile sites and other chromosomal areas can now be studied in detail.
authors.affiliation: New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island 10314, USA.
authors.forename: G Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: X L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Wisniewski
mesh_terms: D002503:Centromere; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods