Changes in metaphasic chromosomal ultrastructure caused by denaturing treatments.

Denaturation and posterior renaturation of metaphase chromosomes after different treatments were tested by acridine orange staining. A relationship between conservation of ultrastructure and the capacity to renature was discovered. Amyl acetate, commonly used in electron microscopy to fix chromosomes, avoids the action of denaturing agents and this effect is not reversed by chromosome rehydration.