Further observations on the activity of Y chromosome heterochromatin in Rumex thyrsiflorus

Abstract

Observation of premeiotic nuclei of plants containing different numbers (from one to five) of Y chromosomes reveal that is such plants prior to meiosis all Y chromosomes are in fuzzy state, while in nuclei of tapetal cells or nuclei from anther stalk the number of big chromocentres is directly correlated with the number of Y chromosomes in given plants. This finding provides a further indication of genetic activity of Y chromosomes in this particular stage of the life cycle (premeiosis). Another indication of genetical activity of Y chromosomes was obtained from analysis of the rate of RNA synthesis in premeiosis. It was found that PMC's in the last premeioitc interphase exhibit a high rate of 3H-uridine incorporation. Thus in PMC's the fuzzy appearance of Y chromosomes coincides with intensive RNA synthesis.