The DNA-Based Structure of Human Chromosome 5 in Interphase

Abstract

In contrast to those of metaphase chromosomes, the shape, length, and architecture of human interphase chromosomes are not well understood. This is mainly due to technical problems in the visualization of interphase chromosomes in total and of their substructures. We analyzed the structure of chromosomes in interphase nuclei through use of high-resolution multicolor banding (MCB), which paints the total shape of chromosomes and creates a DNA-mediated, chromosome-region-specific, pseudocolored banding pattern at high resolution. A microdissection-derived human chromosome 5-specific MCB probe mixture was hybridized to human lymphocyte interphase nuclei harvested for routine chromosome analysis, as well as to interphase nuclei from HeLa cells arrested at different phases of the cell cycle. The length of the axis of interphase chromosome 5 was determined, and the shape and MCB pattern were compared with those of metaphase chromosomes. We show that, in lymphocytes, the length of the axis of interphase chromosome 5 is comparable to that of a metaphase chromosome at 600-band resolution. Consequently, the concept of chromosome condensation during mitosis has to be reassessed. In addition, chromosome 5 in interphase is not as straight as metaphase chromosomes, being bent and/or folded. The shape and banding pattern of interphase chromosome 5 of lymphocytes and HeLa cells are similar to those of the corresponding metaphase chromosomes at all stages of the cell cycle. The MCB pattern also allows the detection and characterization of chromosome aberrations. This may be of fundamental importance in establishing chromosome analyses in nondividing cells.

Chromosome distribution in human sperm – a 3D multicolor banding-study

“…These were called 'chromosome territories' [4][5][6][7]. However, our own multicolor banding (MCB) based studies [8] showed, that the chromosome shape is not lost in the interphase nucleus and one can even identify interphase chromosomes instead of only chromosome territory [9][10][11]. MCB is the only approach available at present that provides the possibility of characterizing the chromosomal integrity of arbitrary interphase cell populations [12,13].…”

“…Human chromosome #19, which is genedense and early replicating shows a localization in the central part, for the approximately same sized chromosome 18 a localization in the peripheral part of the nucleus was repeatedly proven. As the latter is gene-poorer and comprises late-replicating chromatin this gene-density factor is often discussed as a general principle, also as this nuclear topological arrangement was conserved during evolution [11,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Does positioning of chromosomes 8 and 21 in interphase drive t(8;21) in acute myelogenous leukemia?

“…here chromosomes) occupy preferential positions within the nucleus which are called 'chromosome territories' [1][2][3]. Chromosome size and density of the genes within a chromosome are discussed to have an impact on the nuclear position of chromosomes [4].…”

Preferred co-localization of chromosome 8 and 21 in myeloid bone marrow cells detected by three dimensional molecular cytogenetics

“…In the interphase nucleus, chromosomes are located in specific regions, which are called 'chromosome territories' (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). In this connection, chromosome size and gene density are discussed to have an impact on the nuclear position of chromosomes (6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”