Evidence for the existence of satellite DNA-containing connection between metaphase chromosomes

J Cell Biochem. 2007 Jul 1;101(4):1046-61. doi: 10.1002/jcb.21237.

Abstract

Physical connections between mitotic chromosomes have been reported previously. It was assumed that the interchromosome connection was based on the DNA-protein thread. However, the data about DNA sequences and protein component in the thread is fragmentary. We demonstrated on the mouse cultured cell line and prematurely condensed chromosomes that: (a) all four mouse satellite DNA fragments (major and minor satellite, mouse satellite 3 (MS3) and mouse satellite 4 (MS4)) were involved in the thread formation; (b) MS4 was involved in the thread to the least extent among all the other fragments; (c) telomere was never a member of the thread; (d) the thread was synthesized at a late G(2) phase; (e) RNA helicase p68 and CENP-B were among the protein components of the interchromosome connection. It was shown by FACS analysis that in mouse and human cell lines: (1) the flow karyotype spectrums were never free from chromosome aggregates; (2) chromosome association did not depend on the chromosome length and each chromosome was free to associate with the other.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Centromere Protein B / metabolism
  • Chromosomes / genetics*
  • Chromosomes / metabolism
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • DNA, Satellite / genetics*
  • DNA, Satellite / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Metaphase / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mitosis / genetics
  • Telomere / genetics
  • Telomere / metabolism

Substances

  • Centromere Protein B
  • DNA, Satellite
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases