Nonrandom location and orientation of the inactive X chromosome in human neutrophil nuclei (original) (raw)
Abstract.
The nuclei of human neutrophils typically consist of a linear array of three or four lobes joined by DNA-containing filaments. Terminal lobes are connected to internal lobes via a single filament, while internal lobes have two filaments, each to an adjacent lobe. Some lobes also have appendages of various shapes and sizes. In particular, up to 17% of neutrophil nuclei of healthy women exhibit a drumstick-shaped appendage that contains the inactive X chromosome. This report provides a detailed analysis of the relationship between nuclear morphology and the location of the X and Y chromosomes in human neutrophils. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis revealed that the X and the Y chromosomes of male neutrophil nuclei are randomly distributed among nuclear lobes. Similarly, in female neutrophil nuclei with a drumstick appendage, the active X chromosome is also randomly distributed among lobes. In contrast, the inactive X chromosome is preferentially located in a terminal lobe in over 90% nuclei with drumsticks. Within the terminal lobe of nuclei with drumsticks, the inactive X chromosome lies distal to the point of filament attachment in 80% of the nuclei. The inactive X chromosome also exhibits a specific orientation within the drumstick appendage, with over 95% of nuclei having the X centromere located toward the tip of the appendage. Female nuclei without a drumstick appendage also have one of the X chromosomes (presumably the inactive chromosome) preferentially situated in a terminal lobe. Nonrandom distribution of the inactive X chromosome is discussed in the context of a model that considers chromosomes as determinants of neutrophil nuclear morphology.
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- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-0911, USA, , , , ,
Ron J. Karni, Lawrence J. Wangh & Aquiles J. Sanchez
Authors
- Ron J. Karni
- Lawrence J. Wangh
- Aquiles J. Sanchez
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In revised form: 8 March 2001
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Karni, R.J., Wangh, L.J. & Sanchez, A.J. Nonrandom location and orientation of the inactive X chromosome in human neutrophil nuclei.Chromosoma 110, 267–274 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004120100145
- Received: 13 November 2000
- Accepted: 08 March 2001
- Issue date: August 2001
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004120100145