[Microelectrophoretic analysis of histones from single chromosomes and nucleoli of mosquito (Chironomis plumosus) larvae].

A simple method of microelectrophoresis for histone analysis from single fragments of polythenic chromosomes of chironomid salivary glands has been developed. The chromosomes or their fragments obtained micrurgically were dissolved in a microdroplet of 8 M urea and 1 N sulfuric acid solution. Electrophoresis was performed in 30--60 m diameter polyacrylamide gel cylinders under a layer of vaseline oil. The histones were separated into 6 electrophoretic bands which correspond to fractions H4, H2b, H2a+H3, H3-dimer, and two subfractions of histone H1. Comparison of histone electrophoregrams of the I, II, and III chromosomes showed their almost absolute identity. The ratio of fractions H4, H3, H2A, H2B as well as the ratio of histone H1 subfractions in the nucleus and in the rest of the IV chromosome cannot be visually distinguished.