Abstract
In spermatocytes of Bithynia leachi and B. tentaculata, synaptonemal complexes with nodules in an achiasmatic meiosis were demonstrated for the first time by means of the spreading technique. The number and position of the nodules are different in each species and are independent of the length of the chromosomes. Although no crossing over occurs in Bithynia chiasma-like terminal connections of the chromosomes are preserved in diakinesis by the presence of the nodules. — Enzymatic treatments revealed information regarding their composition of alkaline proteins, RNA and DNA. In all proteolytic digestions the nodules more of less retain their position in the central region, while they disappear immediately if SCs are exposed to DNase. On the basis of the results a model of the composition and the function of nodules can be developed considering the concept of a lampbrush-organization of the chromosomes in early meiotic prophase.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bloom, F.E., Aghajanian, G.K.: Cytochemistry of synapses: Selective staining for electron microscopy. Science 154, 1575–1577 (1966)
Byers, B., Goetsch, L.: Electron microscopic observations on the meiotic karyotype of diploid and tetraploid Saccharomyces cerevisae. Pros. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 72, 5056–5060 (1975)
Carpenter, A.T.C.: Electron microscopy in Drosophila melanogaster females: II: The recombination nodule — a recombination — associated structure at pachytene? Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 72, 3186–3189 (1975)
Counce, S.J., Meyer, G.F.: Differentiation of the synaptonemal complex and the kinetochore in Locusta spermatocytes studied by whole mount electron microscopy. Chromosoma (Berl.) 44, 231–253 (1973)
Darlington, C.D., La Cour, L.F.: Methoden der Zelluntersuchung. Stuttgart: Franck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 1963
Gassner, G.: Synaptinemal complexes in the achiasmatic spermatogenesis of Bolbe nigra (Mantoidea). Chromosoma (Berl.) 26, 22–34 (1969)
Gillies, C.B.: Reconstruction of the Neurospora crassa pachytene karyotype from serial sections of synaptonemal complexes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 36, 119–130 (1972)
Gillies, C.B.: Synaptonemal complex and chromosome structure. Ann. Rev. Genet. 9, 91–109 (1975)
Hotta, Y., Stern, H.: DNA scission and repair during pachytene in Lilium. Chromosoma (Berl.) 46, 279–296 (1974)
Keyl, H.-G.: Der Formwechsel der Chromosomen in der Spermatogenese von Bithynia tentaculata (L.). Chromosoma (Berl.) 7, 387–419 (1956)
Keyl, H.-G.: Lampbrush chromosomes in spermatocytes of Chironomus. Chromosoma (Berl.) 51, 75–91 (1975)
Keyl, H.-G., Göltenboth, F.: Probleme der Chromosomenstruktur bei Mesostoma. Chromosoma (Berl.) 36, 292–304 (1972)
Meyer, G.: A possible correlation between the submicroscopic structure of meiotic chromosomes and crossing-over. In: Electron microscopy (M. Titlbach, ed.) B, pp. 461–462. Proc. Third Eur. Reg. Conf. Electron Microscopy, Prague 1964
Meyer, G., Hennig, W.: The nucleolus in primary spermatocytes of Drosophila hydei. Chromosoma (Berl.) 46, 121–144 (1974)
Moens, P.B.: The structure and function of the synaptinemal complex in Lilium longiflorum sporocytes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 23, 418–451 (1968)
Moses, M.J.: Chromosomal structures in crayfish spermatocytes. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 2, 215–218 (1956)
Moses, M.J.: Synaptinemal complex. Ann. Rev. Genet. 2, 363–412 (1968)
Moses, M.J.: Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). I. Morphology of the autosomal complement in spread preparations. Chromosoma (Berl.) 60, 99–125 (1977)
Moses, M.J., Counce, S.J.: Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spreads of mammalian spermatocytes. In: Mechanisms in recombination (R.F. Grell, ed.), pp. 385–390. New York: Plenum Publ. Corp. 1974
Moses, M.J., Counce S.J.: Analysis of synaptonemal complex karyotypes in five mammals. J. Cell Biol. 70, 131 a (1976)
Moses, M.J., Counce, S.J., Paulson, D.F.: Synaptonemal complex complement of man in spreads of spermatocytes, with details of the sex chromosome pair. Science 187, 363–365 (1975)
Moses, M.J., Slatton, G., Gambling, T., Starmer, C.F.: Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). III. Quantitative evaluation. Chromosoma (Berl.) 60, 345–375 (1977)
Moses, M.J., Solari, A.J.: Positive contrast staining and protected drying of surface spreads: electron microscopy of the synaptonemal complex by a new method. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 54, 109–114 (1976)
Nicklas, R.B., Staehly, C.A.: Chromosome micromanipulation. I. The mechanics of chromosome attachments to the spindle. Chromosoma (Berl.) 21, 1–16 (1967)
Radu, M., Steinlauf, R., Koltin, A.: Meiosis in Schizophyllum commune, chromosomal behaviour and the synaptinemal complex. Arch. Microbiol. 98, 301–310 (1974)
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208 (1963)
Schrantz, J.P.: Etude cytologique, en microscopic optique et électronique de quelques Ascomycetes. I. Le noyau. Rev. Cytol. Biol. Vég. 33, 1–100 (1970)
Solari, A.J.: Ultrastructure and composition of the synaptonemal complex in spread and negatively stained spermatocytes of the golden hamster and the albino rat. Chromosoma (Berl.) 39, 237–263 (1972)
Solari, A.J., Counce, S.J.: Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in Melanoplus differentialis. J. Cell Sci. 26, 229–250 (1977)
Solari, A.J., Moses, M.J.: The structure of the central region in the synaptonemal complex of hamster and cricket spermatocytes. J. Cell. Biol. 56, 145–152 (1973)
Welsch, B.: Synaptonemal Complex und Chromosomenstruktur in der achiasmatischen Spermatogenese von Panorpa communis. Chromosoma (Berl.) 43, 19–74 (1973)
Westergaard, M. Wettstein, D. von: Studies on the mechanism of crossing-over. IV. The molecular organization of the synaptinemal complex in Neotiella (Cooke) Saccardo (Ascomycetes). C.R. Trav. Lab. Carlsberg 37, 239–268 (1970)
Westergaard, M., M., Wettstein, D. von: The synaptinemal complex. Ann. Rev. Genet. 6, 71–110 (1972)
Zickler, D.: Fine structure of chromosome pairing in ten Ascomycetes: meiotic and premeiotic (mitotic) synaptonemal complexes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 40, 401–416 (1973)
Zickler, D.: Development of the synaptonemal complex and the “recombination nodules” during meiotic prophase in the seven bivalents of the fungus Sordaria macrospora Auersw.. Chromosoma (Berl.) 60, 205–222 (1977)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Debus, B. “Nodules” in the achiasmatic meiosis of Bithynia (mollusca, prosobranchia). Chromosoma 69, 81–92 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327382
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327382