| abstract |
A process for inducing a transcriptionally active chromosome (i.e., a "lampbrush" chromosome) from condensed chromatin or nucleus is disclosed. The condensed chromosome is contacted with the contents of a germinal vesicle. Preferably, the nuclear envelope is disrupted or removed. Moreover, a heterologous system of chromosome and germinal vesicle derived from organisms of different species is preferred because it permits analysis of organisms that do not have lampbrush chromosomes or cannot be manipulated by other techniques. Such lampbrush chromosomes can be attached to a substrate, and then analyzed by a variety of molecular and cytological techniques such as, for example, antibody detection of chromosomal protein, autoradiography, electron and light microscopy, histochemistry, image analysis, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization of nucleic acids, morphology, and the like. |