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DNA replication and RNA transcription of euchromatic and heterochromatic chromosome regions during grasshopper meiosis

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Abstract

The sequence of chromosome replication and the extent of RNA transcription were determined for pre-meiotic S-phase and first meiotic prophase in males of Myrmeleotettix maculatus and Chorthippus parallelus. Some heterochromatic chromosome segments are replicated early in S-phase while others are replicated late. In general, heavily condensed heterochromatic regions of the chromosomes show little or no RNA transcription as defined by 3H-uridine incorporation. Extra (i.e. in excess of 2) M4 autosomes in Ch. parallelus are slightly more condensed (heterochromatic) than their two homologues and this change in coiling behaviour is paralleled by a reduction in the rate of transcription and a change in the time of its replication, more of the DNA being synthesised at the end of S-phase. These findings are discussed in relation to the definition of heterochromatin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, University of Aberdeen, Norwich

    D. P. Fox, G. M. Hewitt & D. J. Hall

  2. School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich

    D. P. Fox, G. M. Hewitt & D. J. Hall

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  1. D. P. Fox
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  2. G. M. Hewitt
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  3. D. J. Hall
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Fox, D.P., Hewitt, G.M. & Hall, D.J. DNA replication and RNA transcription of euchromatic and heterochromatic chromosome regions during grasshopper meiosis. Chromosoma 45, 43–62 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00283829

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00283829

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