In situ nick translation of human metaphase chromosomes with the restriction enzymes MspI and HpaII reveals an R-band pattern.

Several restriction enzymes (HindIII, HaeIII, MspI, HpaII, EcoRI, KpnI, and NotI) were evaluated for their ability to induce bands in human metaphase chromosomes during in situ nick translation. MspI and HpaII were able to induce a completely developed R-band pattern. Preferential cleavage of R-band chromatin is due to the presence of unmethylated CpG-residues present in CpG-rich islands, which are apparently unevenly distributed and mainly concentrated in R-bands.