Amplification of ribosomal DNA in Acheta. 3. The release of DNA copies from chromomeres

Photographic equidensitometry of metaphase chromosomes

Photographic equidensitometry, which is a procedure to obtain specific lines or symbols for points of equal optical density, has been utilized in the study of chromosome images. Equidensitometric techniques, using a special contour film, permitted three approaches, namely, production of line equidensities (in the form of families, sequences and contour maps), color equidensifies (color conversion of line sequences), and screen equidensities (substituting characteristic symbols for densities). All these techniques have proved very useful to analyze images of metaphase chromosomes and occurrence of spontaneous banding patterns, by showing the precise distribution and relative values of the grey gradient. This report demonstrates the potential of photograhic equidensitometrical procedures for chromosome studies, which obviates the need to purchase elaborate equipment.

Visualization of ribosomal gene activity: silver stains proteins associated with rRNA transcribed from oocyte chromosomes

Cricket oocyte chromosomes were stained with silver at pachytene when certain chromosome regions are active in rDNA amplification and rRNA transcription. The silver preferentially stained the known locations of 18S + 28S ribosomal cistrons. Cytochemical tests revealed that the silver binds neither to the rDNA nor transcribed rRNA, but rather to proteins which rapidly associate with the freshly-transcribed rRNA. As rRNA transcription proceeds, the quantity of silver stainable proteins progressively increases. The silver procedure can be used to visualize gene activity at the rDNA sites with conventional light microscopy.

The three-dimensional organization of the amplified ribosomal DNA complex in Acheta

The major chromomere of pachytene chromosome 6 in the oocytes of Acheta (Orthoptera) is a region of amplification for ribosomal RNA cistrons (28 S and 18 S). This chromomere was isolated and studied with the scanning electron microscope. It has an outer shell that is smooth at early stages but divides into polygonal plates as indentations appear on its surface. These indentations increase in number as the DNA copies separate from each other and as the ribosomal RNA synthesis progresses. The vertices of the polygonal plates coincide with the positions at which the DNA copies reach the surface of the chromomere during their "puffing" process. The combined information gained from scanning and transmission electron microscopy, DNA measurements, DNA.RNA hybridization, and cytochemistry, leads to a three-dimensional picture of the organization of the amplified ribosomal DNA in its association with ribosomal RNA and protein.