Specific radial positions of centromeres of human chromosomes X, 1, and 19 remain unchanged in chromatin-depleted nuclei of primary human fibroblasts: evidence for the organizing role of the nuclear matrix.
Radial positions of centromeres of human chromosomes X, 1, and 19 were determined in the nuclei of primary fibroblasts before and after removal of 60%-80% of chromatin. It has been demonstrated that the specific radial positions of these centromeres (more central for the chromosome 19 centromere and more peripheral for the centromeres of chromosomes 1 and X) remain unchanged in chromatin-depleted nuclei. Additional digestion of nuclear RNA did not influence this specific distribution. These results strongly suggest that the characteristic organization of interphase chromosomes is supported by the proteinous nuclear matrix and is not maintained by simple repulsing of negatively charged chromosomes.
Petrova
Natalia V
NV
Laboratory of Structural and Functional Organization of Chromosomes, Institute of Gene Biology RAS, Vavilov Street 34/5, 119334 Moscow, Russia.
Iarovaia
Olga V
OV
Verbovoy
Valentin A
VA
Razin
Sergey V
SV
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / Q000378:metabolism*; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X / Q000378:metabolism*; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D042581:Intranuclear Space / Q000378:metabolism; D045170:Matrix Attachment Regions; D015530:Nuclear Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism
D002843:Chromatin; D004276:DNA, Satellite; D012313:RNA