Simple GATCA repeats characterize the X chromosomal heterochromatin of Microtus agrestis, European field vole (Rodentia, Cricetidae).

The sex chromosomes of Microtus agrestis are extremely large due to the accumulation of constitutive heterochromatin. We have identified two prominent satellite bands of 2.0 and 2.8 kb in length after HaeIII and HinfI restriction enzyme digestion of genomic DNA, respectively. These satellites are located on the heterochromatic long arm of the X chromosome as shown using Microtus x mouse somatic cell hybrids. By in-gel hybridization with oligonucleotide probes, the organization of the two satellites was studied: among the many copies of the simple tandem tetranucleotide repeat GATA are interspersed rare single GACA tetramers. One of the satellites also harbours related GGAT simple tandem repeats. In situ hybridizations with plasmid-carried or oligonucleotide GATCA probes show clustered silver grains on the long and short arm of the X chromosome. Interspersion of differently organized (GATA)n elements is also demonstrable in the autosomal complement and on the Y chromosome. These results are discussed in the context of the evolution of vertebrate sex chromosomes in relation to heterochromatin and simple repetitive DNA sequences.