title: Cell synchronization and isolation of chromosomes from Chinese fir root tips for flow cytometric analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To optimize treatment parameters to synchronize the cell cycle of Chinese fir root tip meristem cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Optimal mitotic indices were achieved by treating seedlings with 1.25 mM hydroxyurea for 10 h, incubating for 7 h without chemical treatment to release the hydroxyurea block, and then treating emerging roots with 0.05 % colchicine for 16 h. The mitotic index of synchronized Chinese fir root tips was over 30 %. Suspensions of intact chromosomes were prepared using a simple slicing procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The chromosome preparations were suitable for flow cytometric characterization and sorting. The chromosome peaks of the observed flow karyotype resembled the predicted flow karyotype calculated from the Chinese fir chromosome size.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jinhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Renhua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Jisen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant; D003078:Colchicine / Q000378:metabolism; D032486:Cunninghamia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D003582:Cytogenetics / Q000379:methods*; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000378:metabolism; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003078:Colchicine; D006918:Hydroxyurea