Journal of Cell Science, Vol 92, Issue 3 329-339, Copyright © 1989 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Three-dimensional chromosome arrangement of Crepis capillaris in mitotic prophase and anaphase as studied by confocal scanning laser microscopy

JL Oud, A Mans, GJ Brakenhoff, HT van Der Voort, EA van Spronsen and N Nanninga
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

To estimate the extent of ordering of chromosomes, confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to make three-dimensional images from optical sections. For Crepis capillaris, which has 2n = 6 easily recognizable chromosomes, a statistically significant sample of 75 Feulgen-stained root tip anaphases was analysed. A comparison of the observed chromosome ordering and the expected random distribution showed a significant surplus of one of the arrangements with a juxtaposition of the two chromosomes with a nucleolus organizer region. Two of the arrangements with these chromosomes in opposite positions were never observed in our material. Another analysis of 30 mithramycin A-stained prophases and 30 meta- and anaphases showed partly different patterns of non-random chromosome distribution in the two stages of mitosis. A preference for an association of the homologues was observed for all pairs of chromosomes in prophase cells, whereas in meta- and anaphase the association only persisted for the nucleolus organizer chromosomes. This indicates that there may be some relocation of the chromosome positions during the transition from prophase to metaphase. In meta- and anaphase one of the arrangements with juxtaposed NOR chromosomes was preferred, i.e. the ordering in which chromosomes 1 and 3 occupied alternate positions. Probably, the nucleolus is an important factor in producing a non-random distribution, but there could be other factors that influence chromosome ordering as well. A comparison of the anaphase chromosome ordering in C. capillaris plants from very different localities, indicated that the observed non-random distribution was independent of the origin of the material. Existing models of chromosome disposition are not sufficient to explain the observed non-random chromosome ordering in C. capillaris.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Klein, T. Cheutin, M.-F. O'Donohue, L. Rothblum, H. Kaplan, A. Beorchia, L. Lucas, L. Héliot, and D. Ploton The Three-dimensional Study of Chromosomes and Upstream Binding Factor-immunolabeled Nucleolar Organizer Regions Demonstrates Their Nonrandom Spatial Arrangement during Mitosis Mol. Biol. Cell, November 1, 1998; 9(11): 3147 - 3159. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. Montijn, A. Houtsmuller, J. Oud, and N Nanninga The spatial localization of 18 S rRNA genes, in relation to the descent of the cells, in the root cortex of Petunia hybrida J. Cell Sci., January 3, 1994; 107(3): 457 - 467. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Jeun and M. Locke The relative positions of condensed chromosomes are maintained between divisions in the epidermis of Calpodes ethlius J. Cell Sci., November 1, 1992; 103(3): 839 - 846. [Abstract] [PDF]