ISSN:
1432-0886
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Whole-mounted polytene chromosomes from Drosophila melanogaster were prepared for high-voltage electron microscopy. Relative dry mass of chromosome regions was estimated by densitometry of electron microscopic negatives. Comparison of dry mass of regions of the male X chromosome with that of regions of associated autosomes established that dry mass values are proportional to DNA content. Relative dry mass values of regions of polytene chromosomes from salivary glands, fat body, and malpighian tubules were correlated with the average diameter of bands in these regions: as mass doubled, band width increased by a factor of approximately √2. To provide a standard for estimating absolute levels of polyteny, band widths were measured for chromosomes representing one major polytene class, 256n. These chromosomes were observed to have an average band width of 0.9 μm — These observations provide limits to models of chromatin organization in bands. For each chromatid, this area can accommodate up to five chromatin fibers of 250 Å diameter. This value may represent the extent of folding of a chromatin fiber in an average band. Alternatively, a chromatin fiber of higher-order structure could have a maximum diameter of 560 Å in an average band.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00293416
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