M. Frediani et al., DISTRIBUTION OF 5-METHYLCYTOSINE-RICH REGIONS IN THE METAPHASE CHROMOSOMES OF VICIA-FABA, Chromosome research, 4(2), 1996, pp. 141-146
The DNA methylation pattern of Viola faba metaphase chromosomes was ex
amined with a specific monoclonal antibody. 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) re
sidues are present in different chromosomal sites, and are particularl
y abundant in telomeric and/or subtelomeric regions and in certain int
ercalary bands. Chromosomal localization of methylated regions enables
a better knowledge of the lengthwise differentiation of this chromoso
me complement. Our results also indicate that there may be differences
in monoclonal antibody binding between corresponding regions of homol
ogous chromosomes in V. faba. This behaviour is detectable in specific
regions with different frequencies. The data support results previous
ly obtained for Allium cepa metaphase chromosomes using the same monoc
lonal antibody.