Correlation between chromosomal breakpoint positions and synaptic behaviour in human males heterozygous for a pericentric inversion

Abstract

The examination of synaptic data and localization of chromosomal breakpoints in a review of human pericentric inversions suggest that synaptic and recombination behaviour in rearranged chromosomes during meiosis can be predicted by determining the subband in which the breakpoint is located. According to this hypothesis, it can be postulated that loops in pericentric inversions are routinely formed only in cases when both breaks occur in G-light bands, whith the genetic consequences of crossing-over. In other cases, heterosynapsis is accomplished without previous homosynapsis, thereby minimizing the production of unbalanced gametes.