CHROMATIN STRUCTURE IN BANDS AND INTERBANDS OF POLYTENE CHROMOSOMES IMAGED BY ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY

Polytene chromosomes from Drosophila melanogaster, observed from squas h preparations, and chromosomes from Chironomus thummi thummi, investi gated under physiological conditions, are imaged using an Atomic Force Microscope. Various chromatin fiber structures can be observed with h igh detail in fixed chromosomes and correspond to structures which are also observed in chromosomes of diploid cells. Unfixed chromosomes ca n be imaged in buffer and show less fiber-like details because of the inherent soft nature of the chromatin material. (C) 1998 Academic Pres s.