title: Characterization of ionizing radiation-induced ring chromosomes by atomic force microscopy.
abstract: We applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) to the structural analysis of radiation-induced ring chromosomes. Constrictions observed on the metaphase ring chromosome were found to correspond to the centromere regions of the ring chromosome in comparison with the AFM image of the centromere of rod chromosomes and with the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Section analysis by AFM revealed that some ring-like chromosome fragments and ring-like chromatid fragments were thicker than standard chromosomes or chromatids, suggesting that they were ring chromosomes viewed edge on. Topographic analysis by AFM makes it possible to distinguish a ring viewed edge on that is difficult to recognize as a ring by light microscopy and to discriminate between a centric ring chromosome and an acentric ring chromosome using the same slides prepared for light microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Hazards Research Group, Research Center for Radiation Safety, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 9-1, Anagawa-4-chome, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi 263-8555, Japan. drhmmura@nirs.go.jp
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kanda
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minamihisamatsu
authors.forename: Isamu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hayata
mesh_terms: D002503:Centromere / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008677:Metaphase / Q000528:radiation effects; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D012303:Ring Chromosomes