Science, Vol 193, Issue 4253, 599-602
Copyright © 1976 by American Association for the Advancement of Science
Histones and G banding of chromosomes
GP Holmquist
and
DE Comings
Polylysine, polyarginine, and histones H1, H2A, H2B, and H3 inhibit Giemsa staining and chromosome banding by binding to DNA and preventing side stacking of the positively charged thiazine dyes to the negatively charged phosphate groups on DNA. This is a nonspecific effect and does not of itself provide evidence for a role of histones in G banding. The question of whether histones are involved in chromosome banding is reviewed.