FUSION OF CHROMOCENTERS IN PREMEIOTIC INTERPHASE OFSECALE CEREALEAND ITS POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP TO CHROMOSOME PAIRING

Abstract

The premeiotic interphase of rye exhibited a synchronized fusion of chromocenters. This resulted in a solid knot of heterochromatin localized to 1 side of the nucleus. Colchicine injected into the immature inflorescence of diploid rye induced univalent and multivalent formation at metaphase I. Early premeiotic interphase was the phase of development most sensitive to colchicine. Colchicine had a similar disruptive effect on fusion of chromocenters in the premeiotic interphase. The relationship of these observations to chromosome pairing was discussed.