Characterization of chromosomal rearrangements using multicolor-banding (MCB/m-band)

Methods Mol Biol. 2010:659:231-8. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-789-1_16.

Abstract

Molecular cytogenetics and especially fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) banding approaches are nowadays standard for the exact characterization of simple, complex, and cryptic chromosomal aberrations within the human genome. FISH-banding techniques are any kind of FISH techniques, which provide the possibility to characterize simultaneously several chromosomal subregions smaller than a chromosome arm. FISH banding methods fitting that definition may have quite different characteristics, but share the ability to produce a DNA-specific chromosomal banding. While the standard techniques such as G-bands by Trypsin using Giemsa banding lead to a protein-related black and white banding pattern, FISH-banding techniques are DNA-specific, more colorful, and thus, more informative. At present, the most frequently applied FISH banding technique is the multicolor banding (MCB/m-band) approach. MCB/m-band is based on region-specific microdissection libraries, producing changing fluorescence intensity ratios along the chromosomes. Here we describe the FISH-banding technique MCB/m-band and illustrate how to apply it for characterization of chromosomal breakpoints with a minimal number of FISH experiments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes / genetics*
  • Color
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Denaturation

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • DNA