Comparison between in vivo and in vitro heat-induced changes in amphibian lampbrush chromosomes.

At normal breeding temperature (20 degrees C), amphibian lampbrush chromosomes are characterized by the presence of lateral loops which are related to the transcriptional process. Heat treatment induces changes in these loops, but the nature and timing of these modifications depend on hyperthermic stress conditions. Indeed, our data demonstrate that, at the same high temperature (34 degrees C), lampbrush chromosome modifications induced by in vivo and in vitro gradual heat treatments are different from those induced by in vitro heat shock. In vivo and in vitro heat treatments lead to progressive disorganization of landmark loops, whereas in vitro heat shock results in chromosome condensation. The progressive adaptation of lampbrush chromosome structure in response to gradual heat stress is considered and discussed.