Chromomere number and its genetic significance in lampbrush chromosomes.

The chromosomes of three species of salamander belonging to the genus Plethodon have been studied with regard to the absolute length of the haploid set of lampbrush chromosomes and the number and distribution of chromomeres per laploid set of lampbrush chromosomes. Each aspect has been considered in relation to the substantial difference in genome size between P. cinereus (C = 20 pg), P. vehiculum (C = 36.8 pg) and P. dunni (C = 38.8 pg). --Karyotype analyses carried out on unfixed preparations of lampbrush chromosomes showed that the absolute length of a haploid complement of lampbrush chromosomes from medium-sized yolky oocytes is much greater for P. vehiculum and P. dunni than for P. cinereus. Nonetheless, the relative dimensions of chromosomes are nearly identical in all three species. --Chromomers were counted along the whole length of the 14th (shortest) bivalent, and the total number of chromomeres in the haploid set of lampbrush chromosomes was determined by extrapolation on the basis of the known relative length of the 14th bivalent in the respective species. Chromomeres were also counted in measured segments of undamaged lampbrush preprations in which all chromosomes could be clearly identified. The average distance between chromomeres (chromomere distribution) was determined and the total chromomere number was estimated on the basis of measured total length of lampbrush chromosomes in a preparation. Chromomere distribution is the same for lampbrush chromosomes from all 3 species, and since P. vehiculum and P. dunni have longer chromosomes than P. cinereus, it is clear that the former 2 species have many more chromomeres (60-70%) per haploid set of lampbrush chromosomes. The term chromomere was used here in the descriptive sense to define a discrete granule of deoxyribonucleoprotein on the axis of a lampbrush chromosome.--These findings are discussed in relation to what is known of the molecular organization of eukaryotic genomes, and in relation to ideas on gene action and transcription in lampbrush chromosomes.