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Localization and characteristics of DNA underreplication zone in the 75C region of intercalary heterochromatin in Drosophila melanogaster polytene chromosomes

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Abstract

In Drosophila polytene chromosomes, regions of intercalary heterochromatin are scattered throughout the euchromatic arms. Here, we present data on the first fine analysis of the individual intercalary heterochromatin region, 75C1-2, located in the 3L chromosome. By using electron microscopy, we demonstrated that this region appears as three closely adjacent condensed bands. Mapping of the region on the physical map by means of the chromosomal rearrangements with known breakpoints showed that the length of the region is about 445 kb. Although it seems that the SUUR protein binds to the whole 75C1-2 region, the proximal part of the region is fully polytenized, so the DNA underreplication zone is asymmetric and located in the distal half of the region. Finally, we speculate that intercalary heterochromatin regions of Drosophila polytene chromosomes are organized into three different types with respect to the localization of the underreplication zone.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Janos Szidonya for Df(3L)ED224 and Df(3L)ED225 deficiencies obtained within the framework of the Drosdel project and Robert Glaser for anti-γ-H2Av antibodies. The work was supported by the program of SB RAS “Molecular and Cellular Biology” No. 22.4, the Interdisciplinary Integration Project of SB RAS No. 37, the Russian State Program for Scientific Schools No. 5104.2008.4, the Government contract ROSNAUKA No. 02.512.12.2018, and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research Grants No. 08-04-00635-a and No. 08-04-00521-а.

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Correspondence to Igor F. Zhimulev.

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Communicated by S. Pimpinelli

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Andreyenkova, N.G., Kokoza, E.B., Semeshin, V.F. et al. Localization and characteristics of DNA underreplication zone in the 75C region of intercalary heterochromatin in Drosophila melanogaster polytene chromosomes. Chromosoma 118, 747–761 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00412-009-0232-6

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