Chromatin repeat length in somatic hybrids.

In order to study the mechanisms by which a characteristic repeat length is inherited in somatic cells, it was necessary to develop a method for determining repeat length with a precision of 1 to 2 base pairs. Hybrid clones between parental cell lines differing in repeat length by 6 base pairs were isolated. The four independent hybrid clones characterized had repeat lengths intermediate between those of the parental lines; however, it could be demonstrated that these repeat lengths are unique values and do not arise from a double distribution of the parental repeat lengths. It therefore is concluded that repeat length in somatic cells is determined by a common pool of diffusible substances.