High-speed chromosome sorting

Dual-beam high-speed sorting has been developed to facilitate purification of chromosomes based on DNA staining with the fluorescent dyes Hoechst 33258 and chromomycin A3. Approximately 200 chromosomes per second of two types can be sorted from a suspension of chromosomes isolated from human lymphoblasts while fluorescent objects (chromosomes, debris fragments, chromosome clumps, and nuclei) are processed at the rate of about 20,000 per second. This sorting rate is approximately ten times that possible with conventional sorters. Chromosomes of a single type can be sorted with a purity of about 90 percent. DNA from the sorted chromosomes is suitable for construction of recombinant DNA libraries and for gene mapping.     

A major human histone gene cluster on the long arm of chromosome 1

A human histone gene cluster was assigned to chromosome 1 by Southern blot analysis of DNA's from a series of mouse-human somatic cell hybrids with 32P-labeled cloned human H4 and H3 histone DNA as probes. Localization of this histone gene cluster on the long arm of chromosome 1 was confirmed by in situ hybridization of this DNA probe to metaphase chromosomes.     

Gene for T-cell growth factor: location on human chromosome 4q and feline chromosome B1

T-cell growth factor (TCGF) or interleukin-2 (IL-2), an immunoregulatory lymphokine, is produced by lectin- or antigen-activated mature T lymphocytes and in a constitutive manner by certain T-cell lymphoma cell lines. By means of a molecular clone of human TCGF and DNA extracted from a panel of somatic cell hybrids (rodent cells X normal human lymphocytes), the TCGF structural gene was identified on human chromosome 4. In situ hybridization of the TCGF clone to human chromosomes resulted in significant labeling of the midportion of the long arm of chromosome 4, indicating that the TCGF gene was located at band q26-28. Genomic DNA from a panel of hybrids prepared with HUT-102 B2 cells was examined with the same molecular clone. In this clone of cells, which produces human T-cell leukemia virus, the TCGF gene was also located on chromosome 4 and was apparently not rearranged. The homologous TCGF locus in the domestic cat was assigned to chromosome B1 by using a somatic cell hybrid panel that segregates cat chromosomes. Linkage studies as well as high-resolution G-trypsin banding indicate that this feline chromosome is partially homologous to human chromosome 4.     

人类人工染色体(HACs)研究进展

人类人工染色体(HACs)由着丝粒、端粒和复制起点组成。通过对天然染色体的改造或者从头构建的方法可以获得多种类型HACs。HACs可以携带大片段基因组DNA,是建立转基因动物模型的重要手段,在基因治疗方面也有着广阔的应用前景。文章从HACs的结构及各组成元件的功能、HACs的不同构建方法、HACs在转基因研究及基因治疗中的应用等方面,对HACs的最新研究进展进行了综述,同时指出了HACs研究中存在的问题,并对HACs的应用前景进行了展望。     

High-resolution mapping of human chromosome 11 by in situ hybridization with cosmid clones

Cosmid clones containing human DNA inserts have been mapped on chromosome 11 by fluorescence in situ hybridization under conditions that suppress signal from repetitive DNA sequences. Thirteen known genes, one chromosome 11-specific DNA repeat, and 36 random clones were analyzed. High-resolution mapping was facilitated by using digital imaging microscopy and by analyzing extended (prometaphase) chromosomes. The map coordinates established by in situ hybridization showed a one to one correspondence with those determined by Southern (DNA) blot analysis of hybrid cell lines containing fragments of chromosome 11. Furthermore, by hybridizing three or more cosmids simultaneously, gene order on the chromosome could be established unequivocally. These results demonstrate the feasibility of rapidly producing high-resolution maps of human chromosomes by in situ hybridization.     

Senescence of nickel-transformed cells by an X chromosome: possible epigenetic control

Transfer of a normal Chinese hamster X chromosome (carried in a mouse A9 donor cell line) to a nickel-transformed Chinese hamster cell line with an Xq chromosome deletion resulted in senescense of these previously immortal cells. At early passages of the A9/CX donor cells, the hamster X chromosome was highly active, inducing senescence in 100% of the colonies obtained after its transfer into the nickel-transformed cells. However, senescence was reduced to 50% when Chinese hamster X chromosomes were transferred from later passage A9 cells. Full senescing activity of the intact hamster X chromosome was restored by treatment of the donor mouse cells with 5-azacytidine, which induced demethylation of DNA. These results suggest that a senescence gene or genes, which may be located on the Chinese hamster X chromosome, can be regulated by DNA methylation, and that escape from senescence and possibly loss of tumor suppressor gene activity can occur by epigenetic mechanisms.     

Duplication, deletion, and polymorphism in the sex-determining region of the mouse Y chromosome

The ZFY gene in the sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome encodes a "zinc-finger" protein that may be the testis-determining factor, TDF. Although the Y chromosomes of most placental mammals carry a single homolog of ZFY, the mouse Y chromosome has two homologs, both in the sex-determining (Sxr) region. Zfy-1 alone may suffice to determine maleness; Zfy-2 is dispensable, as it was deleted in an Sxr variant that retains sex-determining function but has lost other genes. Both loci mapped near the centromere of the mouse Y chromosome. The Y chromosomes of the subspecies Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus were distinguishable by a Zfy-1 restriction fragment polymorphism, which can be used to study their differing interactions with autosomal sex-determining genes.     

A conserved checkpoint monitors meiotic chromosome synapsis in Caenorhabditis elegans

We report the discovery of a checkpoint that monitors synapsis between homologous chromosomes to ensure accurate meiotic segregation. Oocytes containing unsynapsed chromosomes selectively undergo apoptosis even if a germline DNA damage checkpoint is inactivated. This culling mechanism is specifically activated by unsynapsed pairing centers, cis-acting chromosome sites that are also required to promote synapsis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Apoptosis due to synaptic failure also requires the C. elegans homolog of PCH2, a budding yeast pachytene checkpoint gene, which suggests that this surveillance mechanism is widely conserved.     

Structural dynamics of eukaryotic chromosome evolution

Large-scale genome sequencing is providing a comprehensive view of the complex evolutionary forces that have shaped the structure of eukaryotic chromosomes. Comparative sequence analyses reveal patterns of apparently random rearrangement interspersed with regions of extraordinarily rapid, localized genome evolution. Numerous subtle rearrangements near centromeres, telomeres, duplications, and interspersed repeats suggest hotspots for eukaryotic chromosome evolution. This localized chromosomal instability may play a role in rapidly evolving lineage-specific gene families and in fostering large-scale changes in gene order. Computational algorithms that take into account these dynamic forces along with traditional models of chromosomal rearrangement show promise for reconstructing the natural history of eukaryotic chromosomes.     

Human chromosome 12 is required for elevated HIV-1 expression in human-hamster hybrid cells

Host cell factors act together with regulatory genes of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to control virus production. Human-Chinese hamster ovary hybrid cell clones were used to probe for human chromosomes involved in regulating HIV gene expression. DNA transfection experiments showed that 4 of 18 clones had high levels of HIV gene expression measured by both extracellular virus production and transactivation of the HIV long terminal repeat in the presence of the trans-activator (tat) gene. Karyotype analyses revealed a 94% concordance (17/18) between human chromosome 12 and HIV gene expression. Other chromosomes had an 11 to 72% concordance with virus production.     

木耳菜染色体制片优化及核型分析

【目的】优化木耳菜Basella alba染色体制片条件,并了解其核型特征,为今后研究不同类型木耳菜的亲缘关系和系统进化提供理论基础。【方法】以木耳菜品种‘大叶木耳菜’为材料,对影响染色体制片效果的取材部位、预处理时间和解离时间等条件进行优化,并进行核型分析。【结果】木耳菜主根根尖的分裂相细胞和中期分裂相细胞比例最多;0.002 mol·L-1的8-羟基喹啉预处理6 h,木耳菜染色体收缩性最好,形态最佳,分散性好;在60℃下1mol·L-1的HCl解离8 min,木耳菜染色体着色良好且细胞质透明,对比度高。木耳菜的核型公式为2n=2x=44=38m(2SAT)+6sm,染色体相对长度组成为20 M2+22 M1+2 S,染色体长度比为1.93,染色体相对长度变化范围为3.13%~6.06%,着丝粒指数变化范围为35.19%~47.86%,臂比值变化范围为1.09~1.84,第10、16、17对染色体为近中部着丝粒染色体,其余均为中部着丝粒染色体,第13对染色体具有随体,木耳菜核型不对称系数为57.89%,核型按分类标准属1A型。【结论】明确了木耳菜染色体制片的最佳条件参数,并从细胞遗传学角度揭示了木耳菜的核型特征。     

Paucity of genes on the Drosophila X chromosome showing male-biased expression

Sex chromosomes are primary determinants of sexual dimorphism in many organisms. These chromosomes are thought to arise via the divergence of an ancestral autosome pair and are almost certainly influenced by differing selection in males and females. Exploring how sex chromosomes differ from autosomes is highly amenable to genomic analysis. We examined global gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster and report a dramatic underrepresentation of X-chromosome genes showing high relative expression in males. Using comparative genomics, we find that these same X-chromosome genes are exceptionally poorly conserved in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. These data indicate that the X chromosome is a disfavored location for genes selectively expressed in males.     

银杏第1染色体DNA文库的构建

观察了50个银杏根尖的染色体,发现在约半数根尖中,最大的1对染色体(第1染色体)随体有差异,其中1条随体较大而明显,另1条则很小.采用玻璃针分离法,通过显微操作系统成功地分离了随体较为明显的那条第1染色体.将分离到的单条染色体去蛋白,Sau3A酶切,并在染色体DNA片段两端加上Sau3A人工接头,进行2轮PCR扩增,得到了大小为300-3000bp的扩增片段.用第2轮PCR产物构建质粒文库,得到了约含有75000个重组子的该染色体DNA文库.随机挑取66个重组子进行分析,发现插入片段大小主要分布在500-2000bp,平均为800bp.该文库为银杏第1染色体特异探针的筛选、遗传图谱的构建、重要基因的克隆以及性染色体的鉴别等研究提供了基础.     

Site-specific cleavage of human chromosome 4 mediated by triple-helix formation.

Direct physical isolation of specific DNA segments from the human genome is a necessary goal in human genetics. For testing whether triple-helix mediated enzymatic cleavage can liberate a specific segment of a human chromosome, the tip of human chromosome 4, which contains the entire candidate region for the Huntington's disease gene, was chosen as a target. A 16-base pyrimidine oligodeoxyribonucleotide was able to locate a 16-base pair purine target site within more than 10 gigabase pairs of genomic DNA and mediate the exact enzymatic cleavage at that site in more than 80 percent yield. The recognition motif is sufficiently generalizable that most cosmids should contain a sequence targetable by triple-helix formation. This method may facilitate the orchestrated dissection of human chromosomes from normal and affected individuals into megabase sized fragments and facilitate the isolation of candidate gene loci.     

Gene body-specific methylation on the active X chromosome

Differential DNA methylation is important for the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Allele-specific methylation of the inactive X chromosome has been demonstrated at promoter CpG islands, but the overall pattern of methylation on the active X(Xa) and inactive X (Xi) chromosomes is unknown. We performed allele-specific analysis of more than 1000 informative loci along the human X chromosome. The Xa displays more than two times as much allele-specific methylation as Xi. This methylation is concentrated at gene bodies, affecting multiple neighboring CpGs. Before X inactivation, all of these Xa gene body-methylated sites are biallelically methylated. Thus, a bipartite methylation-demethylation program results in Xa-specific hypomethylation at gene promoters and hypermethylation at gene bodies. These results suggest a relationship between global methylation and expression potentiality.     

海门白山羊染色体核型研究及C-带分析

采用外周血淋巴细胞培养及染色体分带技术,分析了海门白山羊的染色体核型与C-带。结果表明,海门白山羊二倍体染色体数为2n=60,常染色体和X染色体均为端部着丝粒染色体,X染色体的大小介于1号和2号染色体之间,Y染色体最小,为中部着丝粒染色体,公羊核型为60,XY,母羊为60,XX。大部分常染色体和X,Y染色体着丝粒部位显示阳性C-带,但不同染色体的阳性C-带区域大小不同。     

青花菜染色体制片技术及核型分析

以青花菜为材料,筛选染色体制片流程,采用常规压片法制片,并进行核型分析.结果表明:根尖长度为13～15 mm时,中期分裂相最多;在4种预处理中,0002 mol·L-1 8-羟基喹啉预处理25 h效果最好;青花菜染色体数为2n=18,核型公式为:2n=2x=18=8m+10sm(2SAT),其中第1、2、5、6、9对为近中着丝粒染色体(sm),第6对染色体具有随体,第3、4、7、8对为中着丝粒染色体(m).青花菜染色体的相对长度变化范围为(905%±056%)～(1363%±006%),相对长度组成为2n=18=8M2+10M1.着丝粒指数变化范围为(3213%±337%)～(4223%±157%),臂指数为18.核型分类标准为2A型,属于基本对称核型.     

关中马的染色体核型分析

采用外周血淋巴细胞培养法 ,对关中马的染色体核型进行了研究。结果表明 ,关中马的二倍体染色体数目为 2 n=6 4,公马核型为 6 4,XY;母马核型为 6 4,XX,包括 31对常染色体和 1对性染色体。 31对常染色体中 ,13对为中部或亚中部着丝点染色体 ,18对为端部着丝点染色体 ;1对性染色体中 ,X染色体为 1条第二大的亚中部着丝点染色体 ,Y染色体为最小的端部着丝点染色体。     

Bacterial chromosome dynamics

Bacterial chromosomes are highly compacted structures and share many properties with their eukaryote counterparts, despite not being organized into chromatin or being contained within a cell nucleus. Proteins conserved across all branches of life act in chromosome organization, and common mechanisms maintain genome integrity and ensure faithful replication. The principles that underlie chromosome segregation in bacteria and eukaryotes share similarities, although bacteria segregate DNA as it replicates and lack a eukaryote-like mitotic apparatus for segregating chromosomes. This may be because the distances that newly replicated bacterial chromosomes move apart before cell division are small as compared to those in eukaryotes. Bacteria specify positional information, which determines where cell division will occur and which places the replication machinery and chromosomal loci at defined locations that change during cell cycle progression.