Lemur chromosomal study with simultaneous R-banding and chromosome painting.

A method for simultaneously obtaining R-banding and chromosome painting is described. It combines fluorescence in situ hybridization with replication of R-bands by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into synchronized cells. Distinctive R-banding induced by a modified fluorochrome-photolysis procedure can be observed on both painted and non-painted chromosomes. This method applied to Lemur chromosomes was developed for further studies of chromosomal changes in the evolution of prosimian primates and could also be used in other cytogenetic applications where simultaneous identification of chromosomal R-bands and hybridization signal is needed.