Chromosome heteromorphisms in the Japanese. II. Nucleolus organizer regions of variant chromosomes in D and G groups.

The nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) of variant D- and G-group chromosomes characterized by enlargements of the short arms including secondary constrictions and satellites, were examined using the silver-staining method. Of a total of nine variants examined, four were found to have double Ag-stained NORs in the enlarged short arm, two were found to involve chromosome 22, one was a 13, and one, a 14. Four of the other variants had only one AG-stained NOR. From the positions of the NORs, three of them were judged to have enlarged satellites (two chromosomes 15 and 22) and the other an enlarged short arm (a 15). In the remaining variant (a 14), no Ag-stained material was noted in the short arm, so it could not be determined whether this variant chromosome was derived from the enlargement of the short arm or from satellites. Based on the position of the Ag-stained NORs and staining intensity of the Q and C methods in the short arms, mechanisms of producing the enlarged short arms of D- and G-group chromosomes are discussed.