Abstract
The major nucleoli in the wheat variety Chinese Spring are formed at the nucleolus organisers (NORs) on chromosomes 1B and 6B. Minor nucleoli are formed from the NORs on chromosomes 5D and 1A. Nucleolar volume is poorly correlated with the number of ribosomal RNA genes in the NOR region. The nucleolus on chromosome 1B is twice the volume of that on chromosome 6B even though only half as many ribosomal RNA genes reside at the 1B locus compared with the number at the 6B locus. Nucleolus size is correlated with the size of the NOR constriction seen in metaphase chromosomes. When major NORs are deleted, the volumes of the remaining nucleoli increase to compensate for the deletions. Varying the dosage of many of the chromosomes in the total complement influences the volume of the minor nucleoli. Chromosomes 1D and 6B have been shown to carry genes regulating total nucleolar volume. Although total nucleolar volume differs between cells at different stages of development, the genetic variation influencing volume appears to have similar effects in root tip, premeiotic and young pollen cells.
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Martini, G., Flavell, R. The control of nucleolus volume in wheat, a genetic study at three developmental stages. Heredity 54, 111–120 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1985.15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1985.15
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