Sensitivity enhancement of fluorescencein situ hybridization on plant chromosomes

An improvedin situ hybridization procedure is presented, based on synchronization of root meristems of barley and wheat, enzymatic digestion, a protoplast drop technique, and the use of the fluorescent dye Cy3. The combination of these approaches resulted in a significant increase of well-spread metaphases suitable forin situ hybridization as compared to squash preparations, and to a significantly enhanced number and intensity of hybridization signals as demonstrated for a B-hordein-specific lowcopy probe of barley. In the case of Cy3 all metaphases displayed a signal, more than 60% of them on both chromatids of each gene-bearing chromosome.     

Reexamination of chromosomal loci of human muscle actin genes by fluorescencein situ hybridization

Summary Human genes for cardiac (ACTC), skeletal (ACTA), and vascular type (aortic type or -) smooth (ACTSA) muscle actins have been localized to chromosomes 15q14, 1q42.1, and 10q23.3, respectively, by fluorescencein situ hybridization.     

Localization of seed protein genes on metaphase chromosomes ofVicia faba via fluorescencein situ hybridization

Using fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH), four different seed protein genes were physically mapped on metaphase chromosomes ofVicia faba L. dropped on slides. FISH with a 2.8 kb genomic probe of a legumin B4 gene resulted in reproducible signals on the long arm of chromosome III near the centromere. The same clone cross-hybridized at a lower frequency to the short arm of chromosome II, where the closely related legumin B3 gene family is located. The locus for legumin A-genes could be detected in the distal half of the long arm of chromosome V using a 1.7 kb cDNA clone. The locus of an unknown seed protein gene was mapped to the long arm of chromosome I using a mixture of polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA fragments of the coding region of up to 1 kb in size.     

Identification of iso(18p) marker chromosome by fluorescencein situ hybridization with single-copy DNA probe

Summary The patient displayed the clinical features consistent with tetrasomy (18p) syndrome, who had an extra small metacentric iso(18p) chromosome in otherwise normal karyotype. Identification of the marker chromosome used the chromosome 18 band-specific fluorescencein situ hybridization strategy.     

Detection of aneuploidy in human spermatozoa using fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH)

Summary Fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome specific alpha-satellite DNA probes was used to estimate the rates of aneuploidy of chromosomes 1, 17, 18, X and Y in human ejaculated sperm. Sperm samples were collected from six donors, and biotinylated DNA probes, D1Z5, D17Z1, D18Z1, DXZ1 and DYZ3 were hybridized to interphase sperm which had been pretreated with dithiothreitol to expand their nuclei. A minimum of 3,000 sperm per donor were analyzed. The hybridization efficiency was 99.68% for all the five probes. The frequencies of aneuploidy for chromosomes 1, 17 and 18 were 0.65%, 0.66% and 0.61% respectively. For XX-and YY-sperm the frequencies were 0.28% and 0.27% respectively. To estimate the diploidy and disomy rates, a mixture of D17Z1 and D18Z1 were used as probes, and the frequency of diploid sperm was calculated to be 0.27%. After subtraction of the diploidy rate, the disomy rates for chromosomes 1, 17, and 18 were estimated to be 0.38%, 0.39% and 0.33%, respectively. The proportion of X- and Y-bearing sperm were 49.9% and 49.66%, consistent with an expected 1: 1 ratio.     

Ribosomal RNA location in the Antarctic fishChampsocephalus gunnari (Notothenioidei,Channichthyidae) using banding and fluorescencein situ hybridization

A biotinylated 28S rDNA probe was prepared from the genomic DNA of the Antarctic ice-fishChampsocephalus gunnari and hybridized to metaphase chromosomes of the same species by fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH). The hybridization signal appeared over the whole heterochromatic arm of the submetacentric chromosomes bearing the nucleolar organizer regions. The results of rDNA/FISH are compared with those coming from classical cytogenetic (C, Q, Ag-NOR, chromomycin A3) banding techniques. Thein situ detection of a specific DNA sequence offers a new more precise perspective for understanding the evolving process in chromosomes of Antarctic fish and will provide an interesting contribution to comparative cytogenetics of lower vertebrates.accepted for publication by M. Schmid     

Analysis of rye B-chromosome structure using fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH)

Fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) has been used to analyse the structure of the rye B chromosome. Genomicin situ hybridization (GISH) demonstrates the high level of overall similarity between A and B chromosomes of rye, as well as the presence of a number of specific sequences. The B-specific repeat families D1100 and E3900 have been analysed in terms of their physical location and possible contiguity. Rye Bs contain members of the rye-specific dispersed repetitive family R173, as well as centromeric regions similar to those of the As. The B chromosomes analysed in our study lack detectable rDNA sequences. Anomalous results have been obtained with a number of subtelomeric repetitive probes from rye. Bs usually lack these sequences, but evidence is presented that in some cases A–B translocation events may relocate such sequences from the As to the Bs. These data are discussed in the context of current models for the origin of the B chromosome.     

Chromosomal localization of a highly repeatedEcoRI DNA fragment inMegoura viciae (Homoptera,Aphididae) by nick translation and fluorescencein situ hybridization

To investigate the genome of the aphidMegoura viciae at molecular level, we have studied total DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis after cleavage with different restriction endonucleases.EcoRI digestion produced a highly repeated DNA fragment, about 600 bp long. The contribution of thisEcoRI element to the total genome ofM. viciae was estimated at about 6% by means of densitometric scanning of agarose gel photographs. The chromosomal localization of this fragment, investigated by fluorescentin situ hybridization (FISH), constantly showed one large and two narrower fluorescent bands located on the X chromosome, all corresponding to C-positive heterochromatic areas. These results are in full accordance with the data obtained byin situ nick translation experiments carried out afterEcoRI digestion, and clearly demonstrate that a substantial amount ofM. viciae heterochromatin consists ofEcoRI fragments which are mainly located on the X chromosome. Using theEcoRI restriction fragment as a molecular probe may prove to be a practical tool for the investigation of taxonomic and evolutionary relationships in this group of insects.accepted for publication by J. S. (Pat) Heslop-Harrison     

High-resolution fluorescencein situ hybridization ofRBM- andTSPY-related cosmids on released Y chromatin in humans and pygmy chimpanzees

Applying two-colour fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) we simultaneously hybridizedRBM- andTSPY-related cosmids to Y chromosomes in prophase and to released Y chromatin in interphase nuclei of man and pygmy chimpanzee. Whereas, even on prophasic Y chromosomes, no resolution of the overlappingRBM andTSPY signal clusters could be achieved, theRBM andTSPY signals are completely separated from each other in our maximum released Y chromatin stretches in interphase nuclei. These results unequivocally lend support to the view that theRBM andTSPY families have an interspersed organization on the Y chromosomes of man and higher apes. Thus, the distribution ofRBM andTSPY signals might well go back to a common organization of these genes next to each other on an ancient Y chromosome.accepted for publication by M. Schmid     

Interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 11 determined by fluorescencein situ hybridization

Summary An interstitial deletion, del(11)(q14q22), found in a female infant was examined by fluorescencein situ hybridization with cosmid DNA markers mapped on the long arm of chromosome 11. Three cosmids mapped on 11q14.1-11q22.1 region were not hybridized to the del(11) chromosome, while all the other DNA markers mapped on 11cen-11q14.1 and 11q23.1-11 qter region gave hybridization signals on the del(11) chromosome. Cytogenetic analysis after R-banding confirmed an apparent deletion of 11q14-q22, but containing a small R-negative band, a part of 11q22.3 and/or 11q14.1, in the middle part of del(11) chromosome. The karyotype thus was determined to be 46, XX, del(11)(q14.1q22.3).     

Detection of chromosomal abnormalities of chromosome 12 in uterine leiomyoma using fluorescencein situ hybridization

Summary Fifty uterine leiomyomas were examined using conventional cytogenetic method and fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) for detection of chromosomal, abnormalities of chromosome 12. Of the 50 tumors, nine were examined using FISH on the non-cultured samples. Two (4.0%) of 50 tumor samples examined showed chromosomal abnormalities of chromosome 12 by the conventional cytogenetic analysis. For FISH, the whole-chromosome painting probe and D12Z3 probe specific for the centromeric region were used. Of the 50 cultured samples, 10 showed structural aberrations and four showed numerical aberrations of chromosome 12 by FISH analysis. Of the nine non-cultured samples, four showed structural abnormalities of chromosome 12, all of which also showed structural abnormalities of chromosome 12 on the cultured samples. These results indicate that chromosomal abnormalities of chromosome 12 are important in the biology of at least some types of uterine leiomyoma, and that FISH is a useful complement to the conventional cytogenetic analysis in the study of solid tumors.     

Preparation of tomato meiotic pachytene and mitotic metaphase chromosomes suitable for fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH)

Fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) is an increasingly powerful tool with a variety of applications in both basic and applied research. With excellent genetic, cytogenetic and molecular maps available, the tomato genome provides a good model to benefit from the full potential of FISH. Tomato chromosomes at mitotic metaphase are small and not particularly suitable for high-resolution FISH. In contrast, chromosomes at meiotic pachytene are about 15 times longer, and easier to identify by their differences in chromosome arm lengths and chromomere pattern. We have developed a technique for preparing chromosomal spreads of young pollen mother cells at midprophase I which is suitable for FISH. In a first series of experiments, the hybridization patterns of three classes of repetitive DNA sequences were studied in single and multicolour FISH.accepted for publication by J. S. (Pat) Heslop-Harrison     

Cytogenetic study of a severe case of Pallister-Killian syndrome using fluorescencein situ hybridization

Summary Usually, the supernumerary isochromosome 12p characterizing Pallister-Killian syndrome patients was detected in cultured skin fibroblasts but not in cultured blood lymphocytes. The proband of this study was a one-day-old female, who presented with major clinical characteristics of the Pallister-Killian syndrome, and had severe malformations in the form of anal atresia, cleft palate, and severe laryngomalacia. Chromosome preparations from cultured blood lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts, as well as buccal smears, from this patient were analyzed by fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) using a chromosome 12-specific alpha satellite probe. The proportions of cells showing positive signals for i(12p) in these samples were found to be 20, 62.5, and 70% respectively. Repeated FISH studies of buccal smears from this patient showed considerable decreases in the proportions of i(12p) containing cells to 40% at one year of age and to 32% at the age of one year and five months. The decline in the percentage of i(12p)-containing cells in buccal smears with aging supports the concept ofin vivo loss of the marker during repeated cell division.     

Microdissection of the Y chromosome and fluorescencein situ hybridization analysis of the sex chromosomes of lake trout,Salvelinus namaycush

Lake trout,Salvelinus namaycush, is one of the few salmonids with morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes. Genetic analysis suggested that the sex-determining region of this species lies on the short arm of the Y chromosome. The differential arm of the Y chromosome was microdissected and the resulting DNA amplified in a sequence-independent manner. Amplified DNA was biotin labeled as a probe for fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH). Strong hybridization signals were seen covering defined regions of both the Y and X chromosomes. Homeologous chromosomes of the ancestrally tetraploid genome were not identified by FISH with the Y probe, indicating diploidization of this region of the genome.     

Analysis using dual-colour fluorescencein situ hybridization of meiotic chromosome segregation in male mice heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation

Meiotic chromosome behaviour was investigated in male mice heterozygous for the translocation T(7;16)67H. At metaphase I, chain-of-four quadrivalents were present in approximately 80% of the spermatocytes; the bulk of remaining cells contained a ring quadrivalent, with only a few having either a trivalent plus univalent configuration or two bivalents. A low rate of non-disjunction, approximately 5%, was found through analysis of C-banded metaphase II spermatocytes. Using fluorescencein situ hybridization with differentially labelled whole chromosome paints, a wide array of segregation products were observed at metaphase II, depending on whether they arose from alternate, adjacent I, adjacent II orientation at metaphase I or were uninformative for alternative/adjacent I because of the presence of a chiasma in an interstitial pairing segment. Some 62% of the cells fell into this latter category, with only small proportions clearly arising through alternate (1.8%) or adjacent I (0.7%) orientations. Approximately 30% of the cells contained the products of adjacent II orientation. Consideration of the data suggested that most of these cells arose from metaphase I cells that contained a chain quadrivalent. Ring quadrivalents appeared predominantly to orientate in an alternate/adjacent I manner.for publication by J. S. (Pat) Heslop-Harrison     

Human chromosome 3: high-resolution fluorescencein situ hybridization mapping of 40 uniqueNotl linking clones homologous to genes and cDNAs

Forty newNotl linking clones representing sequence tagged sites (STSs) were mapped by fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) to different regions of human chromosome 3 (HSA3). Clone NL1-245, containing human aminoacylase 1, was localized to 3p21.2–p21.1. Our previous localization of the CLC-2 chloride channel protein gene was refined to 3q27. Clone NL2-316 most likely contains a translocon-associated protein -subunit gene and was mapped to 3q23–q24. To our knowledge, this is the first time this gene has been mapped. OneNoti linking clone (NL1-229) probably contains a new protein phosphatase gene. This clone was mapped to 3p25. FiveNoti linking clones probably contain human expressed sequence tags (ESTs), as they possess sequences with a high level of identity (>90%) to cDNA clones. Other clones show 56–85% homology to known mammalian and human genes with various functions, including oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes. These clones might represent new genes.accepted for publication by M. Schmid     

Mapping of the porcine urate oxidase and transforming growth factor beta 2 genes by fluorescencein situ hybridization

We have mapped two genes from human chromosome 1, urate oxidase (UOX) and transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFB2), by fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) in the pig genome. Porcine-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for both genes were designed from the porcine cDNA sequence. With the help of these primers yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones forUOX andTGFB2 were isolated from a pig YAC library. These DNA probes were used for FISH analysis.TGFB2 was localized to SSC 10p16. With the YAC probe forUOX two porcine chromosome regions 6q26 and 6q32, revealed specific signals. These results, help to refine the comparative mapping data between human and pig.accepted for publication by H. Schmidt     

Characterization of the translocated chromosome using fluorescencein situ hybridization and random amplified polymorphic DNA on twoTriticum aestivum—Thinopyrum intermedium translocation lines resistant to wheat streak mosaic or barley yellow dwarf virus

Fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine the breakpoint of the translocation chromosome in two bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) germplasm lines withThinopyrum intermedium chromatin carrying resistance to either wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) or barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). In addition, genome-specific random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to ascertain the genomic sources of theTh. intermedium chromosomes carrying the WSMV or BYDV resistance. CI17766, a WSMV-resistant wheat germplasm line derived from induced homoeologous pairing by using theph1b mutant, had a translocation chromosome composed of the complete 4AL and about 45% of proximal 4AS from wheat, and the entire 4ES ofTh. intermedium. The BYDV-resistant translocation line, TC14, derived from tissue culture, had a very short distal segment of 7StL fromTh. intermedium terminally attached to 56% of the proximal 7DL. These observations indicate that translocations in these wheat germplasm lines did not involve centromeric breaks and fusion but were a result of homoeologous chromosome recombination.accepted for publication by J. S. (Pat) Heslop-Harrison