Cytological variations in the constitutive heterochromatin of Microtus agrestis

Chromosoma ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Lee ◽  
Jorge J. Yunis
Keyword(s):  
Constitutive Heterochromatin ◽  
Microtus Agrestis

Fluorescence of constitutive heterochromatin of Microtus agrestis

1972 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 248-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asit B. Mukherjee ◽  
H.M. Nitowsky
Keyword(s):  
Constitutive Heterochromatin ◽  
Microtus Agrestis

CHROMOSOMES AND DNA OF MICROTUS II. CONFIRMATION OF DELETION OF CONSTITUTIVE HETEROCHROMATIN IN M. AGRESTIS CELLS IN VITRO

1977 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. K. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Constitutive Heterochromatin ◽  
The Other ◽  
Microtus Agrestis ◽  
C Banding

The distribution of constitutive heterochromatin has been examined by C-banding in two somatic cell lines, grown in vitro, from a female Microtus agrestis. One line retains one intact X chromosome together with the short arm of the other X chromosome, while the other cell line retains only the short arm of one X chromosome. Thus, each cell line has lost substantial amounts of heterochromatin from the sex chromosomes, but this material has been deleted from the cells, and not translocated to other chromosomes. Nonetheless, both cell lines continue to propagate well in vitro.

Sex determination and Y chromosome constitutive heterochromatin

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Abyt Ibraimov
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Constitutive Heterochromatin ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Secondary Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Biological Meaning ◽  
Heterochromatin Block ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Open Question ◽  
Efficient Elimination

In many animals, including us, the genetic sex is determined at fertilization by sex chromosomes. Seemingly, the sex determination (SD) in human and animals is determined by the amount of constitutive heterochromatin on Y chromosome via cell thermoregulation. It is assumed the medulla and cortex tissue cells in the undifferentiated embryonic gonads (UEG) differ in vulnerability to the increase of the intracellular temperature. If the amount of the Y chromosome constitutive heterochromatin is enough for efficient elimination of heat difference between the nucleus and cytoplasm in rapidly growing UEG cells the medulla tissue survives. Otherwise it doomed to degeneration and a cortex tissue will remain in the UEG. Regardless of whether our assumption is true or not, it remains an open question why on Y chromosome there is a large constitutive heterochromatin block? What is its biological meaning? Does it relate to sex determination, sex differentiation and development of secondary sexual characteristics? If so, what is its mechanism: chemical or physical? There is no scientifically sound answer to these questions.

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