Abstract
MAMMALIAN metaphase chromosomes may be isolated either at an acid pH1–4 or at nearly neutral pH5–7. The only exception is the method of Corry and Cole8, performed at pH 9.5. We used alkaline sucrose velocity gradients to determine the size distributions of DNA (molecular weight) in metaphase chromosomes in an attempt to understand their arrangement. Initial experiments yielded 1 × 106 molecular weight DNA (single stranded) pieces regardless of chromosome size. When metaphase cells are lysed directly on the gradient a high molecular weight (1 × 108 for single stranded) is obtained. We therefore examined a large number of chromosome isolation procedures and cytological conditions to determine their effects on the molecular weight of the DNA.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
We are sorry, but there is no personal subscription option available for your country.
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Somers, C. E., Cole, A., and Hsu, T. C., Exp. Cell Res., Suppl., 9, 220 (1963).
Cantor, K. P., and Hearst, J. E., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 55, 642 (1966).
Huberman, J. A., and Attardi, G., J. Mol. Biol., 29, 487 (1967).
Mendelsohn, J., Moore, D. E., and Salzman, N. P., J. Mol. Biol., 32, 101 (1968).
Wray, W., and Stubblefield, E., Exp. Cell Res., 59, 469 (1970).
Chorazy, M., Bendich, A., Borenfreud, E., and Hutchison, D. J., J. Cell Biol., 19, 59 (1963).
Maio, J. J., and Schildkraut, C. L., J. Mol. Biol., 24, 29 (1967).
Corry, P. M., and Cole, A., Radiation Res., 36, 528 (1968).
Humphrey, R. M., Steward, D. L., and Sedita, B. A., Mutation Res., 6, 459 (1968).
McGrath, R. A., and Williams, R. W., Nature, 212, 534 (1966).
Sasaki, M. S., and Norman, A., Exp. Cell Res., 44, 642 (1966).
Abuelo, J. G., and Moore, D. E., J. Cell Biol, 41, 73 (1969).
DuPraw, E. J., Nature, 209, 577 (1966).
Stubblefield, E., and Wray, W., Chromosoma, 32, 262 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WRAY, W., STUBBLEFIELD, E. & HUMPHREY, R. Mammalian Metaphase Chromosomes with High Molecular Weight DNA isolated at pH 10.5. Nature New Biology 238, 237–238 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio238237a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio238237a0
This article is cited by
-
Scaffold morphology in histone-depleted HeLa metaphase chromosomes
Chromosoma (1989)
-
Natural size classes in DNA from Chinese hamster metaphase chromosomes
Chromosoma (1987)
-
Mass characteristics of DNA obtained from chromosomes of a human carcinoma cell line
Chromosoma (1985)