Nucleoli in a pronuclei-stage mouse embryo are represented by major satellite DNA of interconnecting chromosomes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the arrangement of chromosomes within pronuclei-stage mouse zygotes.


METHODS
In vitro study.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Location of major alpha-satellite DNA, centromeres, and telomeres, and relative location of chromosomes.


RESULTS
Chromosomes appeared to be oriented inward by centromeres and to be interconnected by major alpha-satellite DNA, which appeared to be the sole DNA component of the nucleoli. This chromosomal arrangement persisted throughout interphase. Chromosomal painting failed to identify chromosomal ordering within pronuclei.


CONCLUSIONS
Pronuclear nucleoli are represented by alpha-satellite sequences of interconnecting chromosomes that hold all chromosomes together during interphase. Chromosomes within the pronucleus are randomly positioned relative to each other.
Dozortsev
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. aa4421@wayne.edu
Coleman
A
A
Nagy
P
P
Diamond
M P
MP
Ermilov
A
A
Weier
U
U
Liyanage
M
M
Reid
T
T
D000818:Animals; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002875:Chromosomes; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis; D007211:Indoles / Q000032:analysis; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D019319:Okadaic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014960:X Chromosome; D014998:Y Chromosome; D015053:Zygote
D004276:DNA, Satellite; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; D019319:Okadaic Acid; C007293:DAPI