Genomic reorganization in the concolor gibbon (Hylobates concolor) revealed by chromosome painting.

We employed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of specific DNA libraries of all human chromosomes to establish homologies between the human karyotype and the karyotype of Hylobates concolor (2n = 52). Numerous intra- and interchromosomal rearrangements have led to a massive reorganization in the karyotype of H. concolor. There have been a minimum of 31 translocations. The 25 H. concolor autosomes are composed of 63-67 recognizable segments that show DNA homology to regions of the 22 human autosomes. Only 1 autosome, homologous to human chromosome 21, has not been involved in translocations. We compared the gene mapping data for H. concolor with our in situ hybridization and found that in most cases these data are confirmed by our results. H. concolor presents a case in a primate closely related to humans, in which chromosome morphology and synteny are highly disturbed in a manner similar to that encountered in rodents.