Three-dimensional localisation of DNA in the nucleolus of Spirogyra by correlated optical tomography and serial ultra-thin sectioning.

Spirogyra nucleoli were shown by three-dimensional optical microscopy of DAPI fluorescence to contain DNA with a pattern and distribution matching those of the fibrillar centres. This was confirmed using different species with nucleoli showing different sizes of fibrillar centre. Much lower levels of fluorescence were seen corresponding to the dense fibrillar component. Nearly all the DAPI fluorescence arises from the fibrillar centres or from regions very close to their surface, indicating that this is the site of nucleolar transcription.