The fragile site at 16q22, distamycin A, and the normal pachytene structure of chromosome 16: some possible interrelationships.

It is possible to interpret the fragile site at 16q22 as an exaggerated expression of normal structure observed at pachytene, and to interpret the potential for such expression as a heritable trait. Exposure of cells from affected individuals to distamycin A in vitro may function to facilitate realization of this potential where the trait is not expressed spontaneously.