Intercalar satellites of human acrocentric chromosomes as a cytological manifestation of polymorphism in GC-rich material?

Hum Genet. 1980;54(3):343-7. doi: 10.1007/BF00291580.

Abstract

Fifteen unrelated individuals were found among the patients of the Cytogenetics Laboratory who possessed multiple-satellited marker chromosomes (14 with double satellites and 1 with triple satellites). Cytogenetic analysis was carried out by means of a conventional staining method and also by R, C, and Q banding and by the technique of silver staining. The intercalar structures of all 15 cases differed from the terminal satellites in their biochemical composition: they were resistant to heat denaturation, and stained heavily with the R-banding technique. Accordingly, they consisted of GC-rich material identical with that which in varying quantity is a regular constituent of the short arms of acrocentric chromosomes. The findings described indicate that any larger accumulation of such R band-positive material tends to dissociate from the basal segment of short arms by a proximal secondary constriction. We therefore assume that the formation of intercalar satellites may be interpreted as a cytological consequence of extreme natural R polymorphism.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Base Composition
  • Child
  • Chromosome Aberrations*
  • Chromosome Banding
  • Chromosomes, Human, 13-15
  • Chromosomes, Human, 21-22 and Y
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Male
  • Nucleolus Organizer Region
  • Silver Nitrate
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Silver Nitrate