Differential fluorescent staining of porcine heterochromatin by chromomycin A3/distamycin A/DAPI and D 287/170

Abstract

R banding of porcine chromosomes by chromomycin A₃ plus distamycin A and DAPI (DA-DAPI) revealed two distinct types of heterochromatin: The GC-rich centromeric heterochromatin of the biarmed autosomes (Nos. 1–12) and of the X chromosome exhibited bright chromomycin A₃ fluorescence, while the heterochromatin of the acrocentric chromosomes (Nos. 13–18) stained brightly by DA-DAPI. The latter also fluoresced brightly when stained by D 287/170. In addition, significant fluorescent polymorphism was observed among both acrocentric and metacentric chromosomes.