A male-specific nuclease-resistant chromatin fraction in the mealybug Planococcus lilacinus

Khosla, Sanjeev and Kantheti, Prameelarani and Brahmachari, Vani and Chandra, H Sharat (1996) A male-specific nuclease-resistant chromatin fraction in the mealybug Planococcus lilacinus. In: Chromosoma, 104 (5). 386 -392.

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Abstract

In mealybugs, chromatin condensation is related to both genomic imprinting and sex determination. The paternal chromosomal complement is condensed and genetically inactive in sons but not in daughters. During a study of chromatin organization in Planococcus lilacinus, digestion with micrococcal nuclease showed that 3% to 5% of the male genome is resistant to the enzyme. This Nuclease Resistant Chromatin (NRC) apparently has a nucleosomal organization. Southern hybridization of genomic DNA suggests that NRC sequences are present in both sexes and occur throughout the genome. Cloned NRC DNA is A+T-rich with stretches of adenines similar to those present in mouse alpha-satellite sequences. NRC DNA also contains sequence motifs that are typically associated with the nuclear matrix. Salt-fractionation experiments showed that NRC sequences are matrix associated. These observations are discussed in relation to the unusual cytological features of mealybug chromosomes, including the possible existence of multiple centres of inactivation.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Chromosoma
Publisher:	Springer
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Springer.
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics Division of Biological Sciences > Microbiology & Cell Biology
Date Deposited:	18 Jan 2010 09:21
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:53
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/25098

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