POLYTENE CHROMOSOMES ISOLATED FROM NUCLEI OF TOKUNAGAYUSURIKA AKAMUSHI (DIPTERA, CHIRONOMIDAE): STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION CAUSED BY SALT, DETERGENT POLYANIONS AND ENZYMES.

Polytene chromosomes of Tokunagayusurika akamushi (Chironomidae) were isolated from nuclei of the salivary glands. The isolated chromosomes retained their normal morphology, revealing bands by phase contrast microscopy. Extensive structural transformations were observed when the isolated chromosomes were immersed in solutions of high salt concentration, polyanions (dextran sulfate and heparin), the ionic detergent SDS (0.01% or more) or enzymes. The morphological changes could be described in terms of combinations of the following characteristics: (1) reversible or irreversible changes, (2) expansion or no expansion, (3) disappearance of bands, and (4) appearance of new bands. The structural features of the transformed chromosomes are described.