Identifying different types of chromatin using Giemsa staining

Stockert, J. C., Blázquez-Castro, A. and Horobin, R. W. (2014) Identifying different types of chromatin using Giemsa staining. Methods in Molecular Biology, 1094, pp. 25-38. (doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-706-8_3)

Abstract

Mixtures of polychrome methylene blue-eosin Y (i.e., Giemsa stain) are widely used in biological staining. They induce a striking purple coloration of chromatin DNA (the Romanowsky-Giemsa effect), which contrasts with the blue-stained RNA-containing cytoplasm and nucleoli. After specific prestaining treatments that induce chromatin disorganization (giving banded or harlequin chromosomes), Giemsa staining produces a differential coloration, with C- and G-bands appearing in purple whereas remaining chromosome regions are blue. Unsubstituted (TT) and bromo-substituted (BT) DNAs also appear purple and blue, respectively. The same occurs in the case of BT and BB chromatids.<p></p> In addition to discussing the use of Giemsa stain as a suitable method to reveal specific features of chromosome structure, some molecular processes and models are also described to explain Giemsa staining mechanisms of chromatin.<p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Horobin, Dr Richard
• Authors: Stockert, J. C., Blázquez-Castro, A., and Horobin, R. W.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Methods in Molecular Biology
• Publisher: Humana Press
• ISSN: 1064-3745