Diploid and Heteroploid Human Cell Lines surveyed for Y Chromosome Fluorescence

• DOI: 10.1038/newbio242022a0
• Publication Date: 2013-07-24T16:02:55Z
• Authors: W. D. PETERSON; W. F. SIMPSON; P. S. ECKLUND; C. S. STULBERG
• Keywords: WI-38; Chromosome number

THE human Y chromosome stained with quinacrine mustard in metaphase1,2 is a readily observed marker for cell sex determination3,4. The distal portion of the Y is intensely brilliant by comparison with other chromosomal segments in the human karyotype and is therefore unambiguously identifiable. Furthermore, translocated Y segments can be recognized because of this property (Fig. 1). The exact mechanism of the fluorescent banding reaction is still under investigation5.