Visualization of interphase chromosomes

Abstract

Using a modified Giemsa-banding technique we have observed what appear to be chromosomes during interphase in nuclei from Allium cepa root tips and Chinese hamster cells (CHO line). During telophase through G1 chromosomes progressively uncoil and decondense. During S chromosomes are comparatively decondensed, but some segments have structure similar to chromosomes in G1 and G2. During G2 the chromosomes progressively recondense and coil in apparent preparation for prophase. Although specific structural modifications of chromosomes occur in G1, S, and G2 nuclei, chromosomes appear never to decondense to the point that they lose their 3-dimensional integrity, but remain in distinct domains throughout interphase.