Isolabeling of the long arm of the human Y chromosome demonstrated by the FPG technique

Physical mapping of two Xp markers DXS16 and DXS143

Lymphocyte karyotyping of an infant girl with the clinical features of microphthalmia, iridoschisis, goiter, hip joint dysplasia, labium synechia and craniotabes revealed an Xp deletion. The lymphocyte karyotypes of the parents were normal. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation studies showed that, in 42 out of 43 metaphases, the deleted X chromosome was late replicating. In one metaphase, the normal X chromosome was observed to be allocyclic. Using DNA markers from the Xp22 region, the breakpoint was assigned distal to DXS16 (pXUT23) and proximal to DXS143 (dic56). Dosage intensity measurements confirmed that the STS gene and the DNA marker DXS31 were involved in the deleted area. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis revealed that the paternally derived X-chromosome was deleted.

Two mosaic cases with nonfluorescent Y chromosome analysed with Y-specific DNA probes

Two cases of a nonfluorescent Y (Ynf) chromosome were diagnosed: one in a male, the other in a female. Both had similar complex mosaic chromosome constitutions with a 45,X cell line. DNA studies were applied in both cases for verification of the cytogenetic diagnosis. The results on the two patients were compared with data obtained from seven healthy men (46,XY), three healthy women (46,XX), two females with 46,XY karyotype, and from cell lines with 49,XXXXY and 48,XXXX chromosome constitution. The highly repetitive Y-specific DNA sequences located in the heterochromatic region of the long arm were absent in these patients. Differences in the composition of the euchromatic part of the Y chromosome were demonstrable in both patients. The highly repetitive Y-specific DNA sequences located in the heterochromatic region of the long arm were absent in these patients. Differences in the composition of the euchromatic part of the Y chromosome were demonstrable in both patients. The suggestion that the Ynf chromosome originates from a dicentric Y chromosome cannot be accepted as a complete explanation of the phenomenon, as it probably involves more complex molecular alterations of the abnormal Y chromosome. The presence of Ynf is associated with the presence of a 45,X cell line more often than in cases of simple Y chromosome deletions with the breakpoint localized in or below the Y euchromatin/heterochromatin junction.

Factors that influence formation of sister chromatid exchanges in human blood lymphocytes

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) reflects an interchange of DNA sequences between helices in a replicating chromosome. This was initially accomplished by Taylor and colleagues (1957) using tritiated thymidine incorporation followed by autoradiography. The development of an elegant technique for differential staining of sister chromatids by incorporating a thymidine analog, 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) has greatly simplified the detection of SCEs in metaphase chromosomes. In recent years, the analysis of SCE has been considered to be a highly sensitive and additional (i.e., with chromosome aberrations) end point for measuring mutagenic/carcinogenic potential of various environmental agents and is increasingly being used to detect and differentiate among chromosome fragility human diseases that predispose to neoplasia. Attention has been focused to see if the induction of SCEs in lymphocyte cultures can be used as a reliable "biological dosimeter" for genetic risk assessment and to monitor the exposed populations. Several physical or preparatory as well as biological factors that modify the response and formation of SCEs make the monitoring difficult. The purpose of this article is to review and analyze these factors to facilitate an effective development of a standard protocol for SCE testing and for appropriate evaluation of test results. This may also provide clues to understand the yet unknown molecular mechanism(s) and biological significance of SCE formation.

BrdU-Hoechst-Giemsa analysis of DNA replication in synchronized lymphocyte cultures. Study of human X and Y chromosomes

The combination of a technique of reversible methotrexate (MTX) imposed G1/S block in cultures of human lymphocytes with the BrdU-Hoechst-Giemsa technique permitted the study of DNA replication patterns in individual chromosomes at different intervals of the S phase in a cell cohort with uniform S + G2 duration. The procedure did not increase either the frequency of chromosomal breakage or SCE frequency. The technique applied permitted visualization of the banding pattern in over 90% of mitoses. Examination of mitosis following different times of exposure to BrdU revealed a high degree of synchrony in the progression of the cell cohort examined through the S phase. The presence of two distinct late replication patterns of the allocyclic X chromosome was confirmed in studies on lymphocytes from normal human females by this technique. Interindividual and intercellular differences of the replication pattern have been demonstrated. The replicating patterns from one individual were relatively constant. The analysis of the Y chromosome has revealed marked differences of the termination of replication in individual cells. Euchromatic regions have been shown to complete DNA synthesis first, followed by the distal part of the long arm and, finally, by the region of Yq11/Yq12 junction. Lateral asymmetry was localised at this region.

Replication variants of the human inactive X chromosome. I. Variability within lymphocytes of single individuals

The sequence of DNA replication was studied within the inactive X chromosome in human lymphocytes, by means of the FPG method. Several variants of the replication sequence were found. The number of variants in the cells of a single donor exceeded 2 in each of the 4 normal individuals studied. The phenomenon is discussed with respect to the regulation of DNA synthesis and to the cell differentiation process.

Sister chromatid differentiation and isolabeling of chromosomes

Isolabeling observed during sister chromatid differentiation (SCD) was studied from human skin fibroblasts by the fluorescence-plus-Giemsa (FPG) technique. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was fed to exponentially dividing cells for 52 h to enable completion of two consecutive cycles of DNA replication. During this period, the late-replicating regions of some chromosomes were able to go through three replication cycles. These chromosome regions had evidently incorporated BrdU bifiliarly in both chromatids and hence, on staining with FPG, appeared isostained (isolabeled). Thus, incubation of exponentially dividing cells with BrdU for a period longer than that required for two cell cycles appears to be a suitable method for revealing the late-replicating regions of the genome, such as the X chromosome in a human female, as isolabeled. In another experiment with Indian muntjac chromosomes, isolabeled segments were darkly stained, which suggested unifilar incorporation of BrdU. In this case, unequal crossing-over or an unequal distribution of thymine residues probably is responsible for the isolabel.

A synopsis of the human Y chromosome

Phenotypic features and functions known to depend on the presence of the Y chromosome or the H-Y antigen are discussed in relation to structural anomalies of the Y chromosome and other abnormalities of sexual and somatic development. Recent knowledge about molecular organization of constitutive heterochromatin in relation to the human Y is presented. An attempt is made at assigning different functions, genes and DNA sequences to different regions of the Y chromosome.