New C-band protocol by heat denaturation in the presence of formamide

Hereditas. 2002;137(2):145-8. doi: 10.1034/j.1601-5223.2002.01672.x.

Abstract

C-banding techniques detect the presence of constitutive heterochromatin, which is usually located in centromeric regions of chromosomes in the majority of analysed species. The common method for C-banding used over the last 30 years involves treatment with a mild alkali barium hydroxide 5% Ba(OH)2 at 50 degrees C for 5-15 min and subsequent incubation in salt solution (2 x SSC at 60 degrees C for 1 h). We here present a new, easy and reliable technique for C-banding, which basically involves heat denaturation of chromosomal DNA in the presence of formamide and incubation in 2 x SSC at room temperature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosome Banding / methods*
  • DNA Primers
  • Formamides / chemistry*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Rodentia / genetics

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Formamides
  • formamide