ABSTRACT
We used fluorescence in situ hybridization to probe the physical organization of five simple sequence repeat motifs and the Arabidopsis-type telomeric repeat in metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Hybridization signals were observed with the whole set of probes and on all chromosomes, but the distribution and intensity of signals varied depending on the motif. On root-tip metaphase chromosomes, CA and GATA repeats were mainly restricted to centromeric areas, with additional GATA signals along some chromosomes. TA, A and AAC repeats were organized in a more dispersed manner, with centromeric regions being largely excluded. In interphase nuclei of the inner integument, CA and GATA signals predominantly occurred in the heterochromatic endochromocentres, whereas the other motifs were found both in eu- and heterochromatin. The distribution of the Arabidopsis-type telomeric repeat (TTTAGGG)n on metaphase chromosomes was found to be quite exceptional. One major cluster of repeats was spread along the short arm of chromosome B, whereas a second, weaker signal occurred interstitially on chromosome A. Only faint and inconsistent hybridization signals were visualized with the same probe at the chromosomal termini.
Subject(s)
Chromosomes/genetics , Fabaceae/genetics , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence/methods , Plants, Medicinal , Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics , Telomere/genetics , Arabidopsis/genetics , Chromosome Mapping , Dinucleotide Repeats/genetics , Oligonucleotide Probes , Pisum sativum , SeedsABSTRACT
Florida has an aggressive program of tobacco prevention and control. The Tobacco-Free Florida Coalition has been a leading force; however, numerous other partners have also participated in this effort. The development of various programs, strategies and activities has occurred because several key agencies in the state were willing to collaborate on agreed upon goals and reduce the traditional barriers of turf and territory in working with each other. As a result a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control effort has been established in Florida, and several large federal and private grants have been secured to support this initiative. This effort was accomplished in about four years in the absence of a dedicated tobacco tax increase which has benefitted at least two states in the country, California and Massachusetts. The infrastructure is now in place for a great deal of future success with this initiative. Continual assessment will be needed to ensure that the objectives of this program are achieved as the Tobacco-Free Florida Coalition moves ahead with its action plans over the next few years.
Subject(s)
Community Networks , Smoking Prevention , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Florida , Health Education , Health Policy , Humans , Male , Patient Education as Topic , Policy Making , School Health ServicesABSTRACT
This is the first report of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on plant polytene chromosomes. Different protease pretreatments have been tested to improve fluorescence in situ hybridization FISH on polytene chromosomes of a plant, Phaseolus coccineus, with the aim to enable the detection of low-copy genes. The structural preservation of the chromosomes and the distinctness of the FISH signals were comparatively analysed with a probe for the ribosomal RNA genes after digestion with pepsin and trypsin. The pepsin pretreatment resulted in a general loosening of chromatin with good conservation of chromosome morphology and an increased number and density of signal points. The six nucleolus organizers exhibited significant differences in condensation. The pretreatment with pepsin enabled the detection of the low-copy genes encoding the seed storage protein phaseolin.
