Spatial distribution of homologous chromosomes in metaphase plates of human lymphocytes

ABSTRACT

The frequency of homologous chromosome association/pairing of chromosomes 1 to 22 and X was analysed in 1000 metaphase plates with colcemid and in 500 plates without colcemid from normal human lymphocyte cells. Statistical analysis revealed that the occurrence of somatic homologous association/pairing is non-random. Chromosomes 1,3,7,16,19 and 20 were found to be associated more frequently The occurrence and significance of such association/pairing is most probably related to the structural and functional organisation of chromosomes. The phenomenon of homologous chromosome pairing is discussed as one of the possible aetiological factors for aneuploidy and/or uniparental disomy