Open AccessThe 24 fluorescence patterns of the human metaphase chromosomes — distinguishing characters and variability
Author(s) -
CASPERSSON TORBJÖRN,
LOMAKKA GÖSTA,
ZECH LORE
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
hereditas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1601-5223
pISSN - 0018-0661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-5223.1971.tb02363.x
Subject(s) - biology , metaphase , chromosome , fluorescence , genetics , karyotype , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , optics , physics
Certain fluorescent DNA‐binding compounds, among them quinacrine mustard and quinacrine, give characteristic banding patterns in human metaphase chromosomes; these patterns can be used to identify all the 24 chromosome types as well as chromosome aberrations. The patterns given by quinacrine mustard are especially clear and stable and are suitable for chromosome identification either visually—preferably after contrast enhancement by photography—or by photometric methods. The typical fluorescence pattern of each chromosome type is described. The reproducibility and variability of the patterns have been analysed by photometric measurements of the patterns in a material of about 5000 chromosomes from 14 healthy subjects. Apart from certain minor but well defined chromosome regions with especially strong fluorescence, which are subject to certain individual variations, the fluorescence patterns were shown to be quite stable and reproducible.