Transition from Chromatin Bodies to Linear Chromosomes in Nuclei of Murine PreB Cells Synchronized in S Phase

Chromatin structures and individual interphase chromosomes escaping nuclei of reversibly permeabilized cells were analyzed in a cell cycle–dependent manner. Cells were synchronized by counterflow centrifugal elutriation. Individual interphase chromosomes became visible as distinct fibrous chromatin bodies from mid-S-phase, turning to elongated chromosomes by the end of S phase. Major interphase chromosomal forms include (1) mid-S-phase chromatin bodies at 3.0 C-value, (2) elongated chromatin bodies later in mid-S-phase (3.25 C-value), (3) chromatin bodies with head and leg portions later in S phase (3.5 C-value), (4) supercoiled ribbons later in S phase seen as twisted prechromosomes (3.7 C-value), and (5) end-S-phase elongated, bent prechromosomal structures (3.9 C-value). The first karyotype analysis of the earliest forms of chromosomes referred to as chromatin bodies was performed.