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C Redi

Publications and source records attributed to C Redi.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Organisation of complex nuclear domains in somatic mouse cells.

The number and associations of heterochromatin chromocenters, nucleoli, centromeres and telomeres were studied in the nucleus of different somatic cells of Mus domesticus. Fibroblasts of the cell line 3T3, kidney cells (primary culture), and bone marrow cells were used. The above mentioned nuclear and chromosome markers were identified by DAPI/actinomycin D, indirect immunofluorescence with anti-centromere antibodies, silver impregnation for nucleolar proteins and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with telomeric probes. The quantitative analysis of the nuclei showed that the pericentromeric heterochromatin is organised in about 18 chromocenters per nucleus in the 3T3 cells, and about seven in kidney and bone marrow cells, having generally a peripheral distribution in the nucleus of all the studied cells. Several aggregated centromeres were participating in each of the chromocenters, about four centromeres per 3T3 cell and about six centromeres per kidney and bone marrow cells. Some of the chromocenters were also in close association with nucleoli. The number of telomeric labels per nucleus was as expected for each chromosome set (2n = 68-70 and 2n = 40). About half of the telomeric signals were loosely aggregated within the heterochromatic blocks while the rest were distributed in the nucleus as unrelated units not bound with chromocenters. The three cell types have complex nuclear territories formed by different chromosomal domains: the pericentromeric heterochromatin, centromeres, proximal telomeres and nucleoli. With the exception of some bone marrow cells, we have not found a nuclear polarisation of the analysed chromosomal markers compatible with the Rabl configuration. However, Rabl anaphasic polarisation allows the contact of centromeric regions making possible that centromeric associations arise. If in addition, associative elements such as constitutive heterochromatin or nucleoli are close to the centromeric regions, like in Mus domesticus chromosomes, then the associations might be consolidated and persist until the interphase. These associations may be the origin of the nuclear domains described here for Mus domesticus somatic cells.

Animals↗

Chromosomal speciation and adaptive radiation of mole rats in Asia Minor correlated with increased ecological stress.

The evolutionary forces causing chromosomal speciation and adaptation are still enigmatic. Here we tested the Israel evolutionary model of positive association of diploid chromosome number (2n) and genetic diversity with aridity stress in subterranean mole rats, on a 30-times-larger scale in Asia Minor. We analyzed both karyotype and allozyme diversity across Turkey, based on 37 allozymic loci in 20 localities of the Spalax leucodon and 4 localities of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies. We found extensive chromosomal speciation in S. leucodon (2n = 38, 40, 50, 54, 60, and 62) and in S. ehrenbergi (2n = 52, 56, and 58), presumably representing from 14 to > 20 additional biological species. Genetic diversity indices were low, but, like the chromosome number (2n), positively correlated with aridity stress, increasing centripetally from the periphery toward geologically young, arid, and climatically unpredictable central Anatolia. Nei's genetic distance D across all populations averaged 0.174 (range 0.002-0.422), supporting, combined with 2n and ecogeography, the biological species status of most tested populations. Chromosome evolution is the basis of speciation and adaptation in Spalax; it provides both postmating reproductive isolation, as well as higher levels of recombination with increased 2n. A mathematical model shows that a Robertsonian fission of a single metacentric considerably increases haplotype diversity. This haplotype diversity may contribute to population adaptation to climatic stress and ecological unpredictability in space and time. The increase in diversity corroborates the nichewidth genetic-variation hypothesis.

Animals↗

Evolution of the genome size in Akodon (Rodentia, Cricetidae).

Nuclear DNA contents were estimated by microdensitometry in five species of Akodon rodents: Arodon molinae, A. dolores, A. mollis, A. azarae, Bolomys obscurus) and in three chromosomal varieties of A. molinae (2n = 42; 2n = 43, 2n = 22). The data obtained showed that the species with the highest DNA content was B. obscurus, followed in order of decreasing genome size by A. molinae, A. mollis, A. dolores and A. azarae. In A. molinae the forms with 2n = 42 chromosomes had the lowest and the forms with 2n = 44 the highest amount of DNA, while the forms with 2n = 43 had intermediate DNA contents. The variation in DNA amount detected in A. molinae was interpreted as a phenomenon of amplification occurring in the chromosomal areas involved in the chromosomal rearrangement giving rise to the polymorphism exhibited by this species. The DNA contents of shared chromosomes (chromosomes with similar size, morphology and G banding pattern, which are found in two or more phylogenetically related species), were compared and correlated with values of total nuclear DNA. The information obtained indicates that: (a) shared chromosomes have variable amounts of DNA: (b) in a given species there is a correlation between the amount of nuclear and chromosomal DNA in most shared chromosomes (and perhaps in most of the chromosomal complement), e.g., the higher the amount of nuclear DNA, the higher the content of DNA in shared chromosomes; (c) some chromosomes may undergo processes of amplification or deletion restricted to certain regions and usually related with mechanisms of chromosomal rearrangements.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Robertsonian karyotype variation in wild house mice from Rhaeto-Lombardia.

The European longtailed house mouse (M. m. brevirostris and domesticus) in the Rhaetian Alps and Lombardia presents a complex system of Robertsonian (Rb) variation and karyotype diversity, several adjoining populations homozygous for multiple Rb metacentric chromosomes, sites of coexistence of different Rb types, and zones of hybridization with non-Rb populations. The original "tobacco mouse" is just one of many local Rb variants, such as those from other Alpine areas (e.g., Orobian Alps) or from Central Lombardia, where a relatively large region within which the population is homogeneous for multi-Rb metacentrics is found. The present study is based strictly on material in which the chromosome arms were identified by G-banding, so that karyotypes within the areas under investigation could be compared. Altogether 111 mice were studied.

Animals↗

Some parameters for a cell cycle cytotopochemical study.

With the Feulgen-Naphthol Yellow double reaction we dosed, simultaneously on a cell, [1] the DNA nuclear content (as Feulgen positive material), [2] the protein cell content and [3] the Feulgen chromatin area; the degree of condensation is expressed by the ratio [1]/[3]. The evolution of the lymphocytes culture at different times of PHA stimulation was in this way studied with the aim of defining the existence of cell subpopulations pertaining at different phases or subphases of the cycle.

Blood Proteins↗