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Localization of heterochromatin in human chromosomes
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1971
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SpermatogenesisCytogeneticsGeneticsHuman ChromosomesMolecular GeneticsEpigeneticsKaryotype ImagingSpecial Staining ProcedureMeiosisChromatin BiologyNuclear OrganizationChromosomal RearrangementCell BiologyMosaicismCentromeric AreasChromatin FunctionChromatinChromosome DynamicsChromatin StructureChromatin RemodelingNatural SciencesHeterochromatic RegionsChromosome BiologyMedicine
Heterochromatic regions, mainly centromeric, are consistently visualized by a special staining procedure and are thought to be constitutive heterochromatin. The method treats preparations with HCl, RNase, NaOH to denature DNA, then renatures in saline citrate at 65 °C; facultative heterochromatin such as the repressed X chromosome does not respond. After Giemsa staining, heterochromatic regions become visible.
Heterochromatic regions in chromosomes of man, mainly at the centromeric areas, can be demonstrated with consistency using a special staining procedure. This procedure includes treatments of cytological preparations with HCl, RNase, NaOH (denaturing DNA), and renaturing DNA in a saline citrate solution at 65°C. The heterochromatic regions can be observed after staining with Giemsa. These regions are believed to be composed of constitutive heterochromatin. Facultative heterochromatin regions, e.g., the repressed X in female cells, do not respond to this series of treatments.