A method for determination of the in situ distribution of chromosomal proteins.

A technique has been developed for "staining" cytological preparations by indirect immunofluorescent methods that permits determination of the in situ distribution of chromosomal proteins. The method is particularly oriented to the use of polytene chromosome squashes from Drosophila salivary glands. Control experiments indicate that the fixation methods used allow little or no extraction or rearrangement of the chromosomal proteins. The results obtained demonstrate the specific in vivo chromosomal locations of nonhistone proteins purified from isolated chromatin. The technique is apparently capable of resolution at the level of the chromomere or band, the unit of genetic organization in Drosophila.