Quantitative changes in the degree of chromatin condensation during the cell cycle in differentiating Pisum sativum vascular tissue.

Fixed tissue from the base of the fourth internode above the cotyledons of Pisum sativum plants were Feulgen-stained for DNA. In squash preparations three cell types: xylem vessel elements, phloem fibres and phloem sieve tube elements were identified. Measurement of Feulgen absorbance values in 0.5 X 0.5 microns measuring points across each nucleus were obtained with a scanning cytophotometer. Condensed chromatin was defined as any measuring point having an absorbance value greater than 0.32. Calculating 'percent condensed chromatin' as the percentage of the total nuclear DNA contained in those densely stained points, the pattern of change in this parameter during interphase in each cell type was observed. A generally similar pattern occurs in all three cell types. Percent condensed chromatin decreased from about 45% to 12% during G1, increased rapidly to the end of S, decreased during G2 and the following G1 to increase again during the subsequent S phase.