Analysis of DNA replication patterns of human fibroblast chromosomes: the replication map.

A replication map of human fibroblast chromosomes from two diploid human female fibroblast lines, 46,XX and 46,X, del (X)(q13), was determined using the 'fluorescent plus Giemsa' (FPG) technique. Each chromosome was found to stain homogeneously dark when thymidine was incorporated for the entire S phase of that particular cell. As the duration of exposure to thymidine progressively decreased by increasing the incubation time in bromodeoxyuridine, the staining intensity of chromosomes decreased and, concurrently, gaps in the staining began to appear. These gaps coincide with R bands and represent the earliest areas to complete DNA synthesis. As these areas widen and increase in frequency, first Q and G bands appear, and finally C bands. Homologous X chromosomes were easily differentiated by either a comparison of the bands present or their staining intensity. The replication kinetics of the structurally abnormal heterocyclic X chromosome were very similar to those of the normal heterocyclic X chromosome. The X chromosome with deletion of a portion of the long arm was consistently late in replication.