Amount Of Heterochromatin Research Articles

Holocentric chromosomes of psocids (Insecta, Psocoptera) analysed by C-banding, silver impregnation and sequence specific fluorochromes CMA3 and DAPI

The pattern of nucleolus attachment and C-heterochromatin distribution and molecular composition in the karyotypes of psocid species Psococerastis gibbosa (2n = 16+X), Blaste conspurcata (2n = 16+X) and Amphipsocus japonicus (2n = 14+neo-XY) were studied by C-banding, silver impregnation and sequence specific fluorochromes CMA3 and DAPI. Every species was found to have a single nucleolus in male meiosis. In P. gibbosa the nucleolus is attached to an autosomal bivalent; in B. conspurcata to the X-chromosome; in A. japonicus to the neo-XY bivalent. The species show a rather small amount of constitutive heterochromatin, C-blocks demonstrating telomeric localization with rare exceptions. P. gibbosa is characterized by a polymorphism for C-blocks occurrence and distribution. In the autosomes of this species, C-heterochromatin consists of AT-rich DNA except for the nucleolus organizing region, which is also GC-rich; the X-chromosome shows both AT- and GC-rich clusters. In A. japonicus and B. conspurcata, C-heterochromatin of the autosomes and sex chromosomes consists of both GC-rich and AT-rich DNA clusters, which are largely co-localized.

A repeat DNA sequence from the Y chromosome in species of the genus Microtus

In most mammals, the Y chromosome is composed of a large amount of constitutive heterochromatin. In some Microtus species, this feature is also extended to the X chromosome, resulting in enlarged (giant) sex chromosomes. Several repeated DNA sequences have been described in the gonosomal heterochromatin of these species, indicating that it has heterogeneous and species-specific composition and distribution. We have cloned an AT-rich, 851-bp long, repeated DNA sequence specific for M. cabrerae Y chromosome heterochromatin. The analysis of other species of the genus Microtus indicated that this sequence is also located on the Y chromosome (male-specific) in three species (M. agrestis, M. oeconomus and M. nivalis), present on both Y and X chromosomes and on some autosomes in M. arvalis and absent in the genome of M. guentheri. Our data also suggest that the mechanism of heterochromatin amplification operating on the sex chromosomes could have been different in each species since the repeated sequences of the gonosomal heterochromatic blocks in M. cabrerae and M. agrestis are different. The absence of this sequence in the mouse genome indicates that its evolutionary origin could be recent. Future analysis of the species distribution, localization and sequence of this repeat DNA family in arvicolid rodent species could help to establish the unsolved phylogenetic relationships in this rodent group.

Achiasmatic Male Meiosis in Tenagobia (Fuscagobia) fuscata (Stål) (Heteroptera, Corixoidea, Micronectidae)

Male karyotype and meiosis of Tenagobia fuscata (Corixoidea, Micronectidae) are studied. The species possesses a male diploid chromosome number 2n = 28 + XY, holokinetic chromosomes, absence of m chromosomes and an achiasmatic male meiosis. Autosomes divide pre-reductionally while the sex chromosomes do so post-reductionally. Banding techniques (C, DAPI and CMA) show that large heterochromatic AT-GC rich bands are generally terminally located, although some interstitial bands are also detected. Many bivalents are heteromorphic for heterochromatin amount and location. This is the first report of a species with achiasmatic male meiosis within the Nepomorpha. These cytogenetic features markedly differ from all previous reports for 26 species of the superfamily Corixoidea. T. fuscata occurs in permanent shallow water bodies, and most known individuals are brachypterous. Their dispersion depends on occasional floodings of the water bodies they occupy. Since achiasmatic meiosis maintains groups of co-adapted genes, this feature could be an adaptive strategy of the species to the particular type of habitat and ecological niche it occupies.

Allozyme Variation of the Pygmy Wood Mouse Sylvaemus uralensis (Rodentia, Muridae) and Estimation of the Divergence of Its Chromosome Forms

The genetic divergence between the eastern European, southern European, and Asian chromosome forms of the pygmy wood mouse Sylvaemus uralensis, whose karyotypes differ from one another in the amount of pericentromeric heterochromatin, has been reevaluated using allozyme analysis. In general, Asian S. uralensis living in eastern Kazakhstan, eastern Turkmenistan (the Kugitang Ridge), and Uzbekistan are more monomorphic than European populations of this species. However, the allozyme differences between all chromosome forms of the pygmy wood mouse is comparable with the interpopulation differences within each form and are an order of magnitude smaller than those between "good" species of the genus Sylvaemus. Thus, the chromosome forms of S. uralensis cannot be considered to be separate species. The concept of races as large population groups that have not diverged enough to regard them as species but differ from one another in some genetic characters is used to describe the differentiation of S. uralensis forms more adequately. The currently available evidence suggests the existence of two S. uralensis races, the Asian and the European ones, and two chromosome forms (eastern and western) of the European race. The possible historical factors that have determined the formation of the races of the pygmy wood mouse are considered. According to the most plausible hypothesis, the shift and fragmentation of the broad-leaved forest zone during the most recent glacial period (late Pleistocene) were the crucial factors of the formation of these races, because they resulted in a prolonged isolation of the European and Asian population groups of S. uralensis from each other.

Human chromosomes with shorter telomeres and large heterochromatin regions have a higher frequency of acquired somatic cell aneuploidy

Both telomere shortening and increases in aneuploidy frequencies have been associated with aging. To test if these chromosomal attributes are correlated, chromosome-specific telomere lengths and aneuploidy frequencies were estimated and compared. Aneuploidy frequencies were determined for 10 autosomes (1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 21) and the X chromosome in lymphocytes, and for chromosomes 17 and X in buccal mucosa cells. Overall, chromosomal loss was seen more often than gain in lymphocytes, with the highest loss rates being observed for chromosomes X (3.03%), 17 (2.00%), and the autosomes having large blocks of heterochromatin (1 [1.93%]; 16 [1.53%]; and 9 [1.05%]). The frequencies of loss were significantly lower in the buccal mucosa cells compared to lymphocytes for chromosomes 17 ( P = 0.006) and X ( P = 0.003). However, the chromosome 17 trisomy frequencies did not vary between tissues. Using a semi-quantitative FISH assay to estimate chromosome-specific telomere length, a significant negative correlation ( r = −0.379; P = 0.007) was seen for chromosomal aneuploidy and telomere length, with chromosomes having higher loss rates being noted to have shorter telomeres. Collectively, these studies show that acquired, spontaneous chromosomal loss is associated with multiple factors including the amount of heterochromatin, the chromosome’s telomere length, and tissue-specific factors.

Position-effect variegation and z1 mediated white repression in the In(1)wis system in Drosophila melanogaster.

We have characterized a new X-chromosomal inversion in Drosophila melanogaster, extending from just distal of white to just proximal of the bb locus. The inversion places the w-isoxanthopterinless (wis) allele close to heterochromatin and under the influence of position-effect variegation (PEV). The wis gene activity is also regulated by chromosome pairing-dependent z1-mediated repression. By changing the environment, using specific second site modifiers, altering the amount of heterochromatin, and disturbing the chromosome pairing, we have been able to separately affect the two regulatory phenomena and analyse their respective impact on the wis regulation. We provide evidence that under normal conditions PEV and z1 mediated white repression are additive. However, at extreme levels of wis repression by PEV, changes in the z1-mediated interactions are not observable. This indicates that PEV is epistatic to z1-mediated regulation of wis. We also show that deficiencies in the short arm of Y act as suppressors of the z1-mediated white repression. This suppression does not influence PEV and is thus not due to the lower amount of heterochromatin. We propose that nonhomologous chromosome pairing between X and Y is important for the synapsis-dependent z1-mediated repression of white transcription activity in this system.

Restriction Endonuclease Staining Profiles in the C-Heterochromatin of Cervidae

The four species of Cervidae (Rangifer tarandus, Odocoileus uirginianus, Akes alces, and Cervus dama) show striking differences in size, morphology, banding pattern, and amount of heterochromatin in their sex chromosomes studied here. Cervus dama is characterized by an acrocentric X chromosome, representing the original X in Cervidae. Odocoileus virginianus and Alces alces have submetacentric and otherwise structurally different X chromosomes. In Rangifer tarandus the X and the Y are spectacularly large sex chromosomes, exceptionally rich in heterochromatin. Banding induced by restriction endonucleases has revealed a new class of C-heterochromatin in the sex chromosomes of Rangifer tarandus not present in any other sex chromosomes or autosomes investigated in this taxon. Meiotic divisions in Rangifer tarandus and Alces alces furthermore elucidate ancient evolutionary changes in the sex chromosomes.

C-bands on chromosomes of 32 beetle species (Coleoptera: Elateridae, Cantharidae, Oedemeridae, Cerambycidae, Anthicidae, Chrysomelidae, Attelabidae and Curculionidae).

C-banding patterns of 32 beetle species from the families Elateridae, Cantharidae, Oedemeridae, Cerambycidae, Anthicidae, Chrysomelidae, Attelabidae and Curculionidae were studied using the C-banding technique. Mitotic and meiotic chromosomes were previously described for 14 species. From among 18 species that had never been cytogenetically studied, we determined the diploid and haploid chromosome numbers and the sex determination system for 12 beetles. The karyotype for 6 species is not described because of a lack of mitotic and meiotic metaphases. Results confirm that most of the beetle species possess a small amount of heterochromatin and C-positive segments are weakly visible in pachytene stages and weakly or imperceptible in mitotic and meiotic metaphases. In some species with a large amount of heterochromatin, C-bands were observed in the centromeric region in all autosomes and the X chromosome. The Y chromosome does not show C-bands with the exception of Oedemera viridis in which it possesses a small band of heterochromatin.

Replication, C- and Fluorescent Chromosome Banding Patterns in European Whitefish, Coregonus Lavavetus L.

The chromosome complement of Curegunus luvaretus was investigated using C-banding, DAPI and CMA,3 fluorescent stainings, and replication banding techniques. Diploid chromosome number was 2n = 80, and the arm number was NF = 100. Karyotype consisted of 8 pairs of metacentrics, 2 pairs of submetacentrics, 2 pairs of subtelocentrics and 28 pairs of acrocentrics, gradually decreasing in size, and of 0–4 supernumerary chromosomes. Chromomycin A3 staining revealed the location of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs), showing that examined fish possessed two pairs of submetacentric-subtelocentric (sm-st) NOR-bearing chromosomes. Staining with DAPI revealed the distribution of AT-rich regions. The use of in vivo 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation technique induced highly reproducible replication bands. All banding patterns obtained in the study allowed identification of numerous chromosome pairs in the Coregonus lacaretus karyotype. Chromosome 1 showed individual variation in the amount of C-positive heterochromatin resulting in the length polymorphism of this pair. Replication banding pattern in European whitefish showed differences between three forms of the first chromosome pair.

Comparative Karyotypic Analysis of two Land-Planarian Species from Brazil: Geoplana Burmeisteri and Geoplana Carinata (Tricladida, Terricola)

Cytogenetic studies were conducted with samples of Geopluna hurmristeri and G. carinata from different localities of the State of Sao Paulo. The individuals of both species presented a diploid number of 2n = 2x = 14 chromosomes, all metacentric. C-banding patterns revealed differences in the amount and distribution of the constitutive heterochromatin between the two species, this thus allowing for the establishment of a species-specific pattern.

The Karyotype of Elymus Mendodnus (Poaceae; Triticeae) from Argentina studied by Banding Techniques

The karyotype of Elymus mendodnus (2n = 8x = 56) was investigated by Giemsa C-banding and N-banding, and AgNO3 staining. The chromosomes were large (7–13 μm). The chromosome complement consisted of 22 metacentric and 6 submetacentric pairs. Two metacentric and one submetacentric pairs had satellites on the short arms. One of the metacentric pairs had large satellites. The other satellites were small. The number of SAT-chromosomes was verified through AgNO3 staining confirming the presence of up to 6 nucleoli at interphase. The C-banding pattern comprised small to large C-bands at telomeric positions in all short arms except one and in most of the long arms. A few, mostly small bands were located at distal, intercalary positions. The small satellites were entirely heterochromatic. The amount of constitutive heterochromatin (14 %) was among the highest recorded in the Triticeae. Except in 12 chromosome pairs, incl. the 3 satellited ones, the overall similarity of the C-banding patterns of most chromosomes prevented a safe identification of homologues. Additionally, the level of identified banding pattern polymorphism was low, but supports an outbreeding nature of the species. N-banding produced no bands. A similar distribution of large C-bands and lack of N-banding have previously been observed in Psathyrostachys huashanica. This agrees with the presence of the Ns genome and the absence of the H genome in E. mendodnus (DUBCOVSKY et al. 1997), and suggests the absence of the pivotal St genome of Elymus. However, lacking further evidence we propose to retain the species in Elymus.

A new species of Calomys (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) from Central Brazil identified by its karyotype.

Ten species of small rodents of genus Calomys are found in South America. Three of these ten species are known to occur in Brazil: C. tener, C. laucha and C. expulsus (= C. callosus expulsus). Almost all Calomys karyotypes are made up of acrocentric pairs. In this paper we describe a new karyotype with 2n = 46 (FN = 66), including 11 meta/submetacentric and 11 acrocentric autosomal pairs. This is not related to any described Calomys karyotype. The X chromosome is a medium submetacentric and the Y is a small acrocentric. This new karyotype is briefly compared to karyotype of the sympatric species C. tener (2n = 66, FN = 66). The reduced diploid number and small amount of pericentromeric heterochromatin observed in the biarmed chromosomes that contrasts to large blocks seen in acrocentrics seem to indicate that centric fusion and loss of constitutive heterochromatin have led to the new karyotype. Cytogenetic evidence suggests strongly that a new species with 2n = 46 from Central Brazil should be described in the genus Calomys.

Karyotypes of Elymus scabrifolius (Poaceae: Triticeae) from South America studied by banding techniques and in situ hybridization.

Karyotypes of 4 accessions of Elymus scabrifolius (2n = 4x = 28) were investigated by Giemsa C- and N-banding, GAA-banding (one accession), AgNO3-staining and in situ hybridization with the rDNA probe pTa71. Two additional accessions were studied in less detail. The chromosomes were large (9-14 microns). The complements included 11 pairs of metacentrics, one with conspicuous satellites on the short arms, and 3 pairs of submetacentrics. Two of 4 accessions from Eastern Argentina and Uruguay had minute or small satellites on a submetacentric pair. No such satellites were observed in the other two accessions. In two accessions from the Cordoba province, a non-homologous submetacentric pair had very long satellites. AgNO3-staining established the presence of 4 nucleoli, two larger and two small ones, in 5 accessions. The C-banding patterns comprised from one to 12 conspicuous bands per chromosome at no preferential positions. The amount of constitutive heterochromatin (19-21%) was the highest hitherto established in the Triticeae. Similarities in banding patterns and chromosome morphology identified homologous and discriminated between non-homologous chromosomes within and, except for two chromosomes, between plants. Heteromorphic chromosome pairs were identified in satellite-carrying chromosomes only. N-banding produced conspicuous bands overall at the same positions as C-banding. GAA-banding patterns were similar to N-banding patterns. The rDNA probe hybridized to chromosome segments at nucleolar constrictions only. The production of C- and N-banding patterns in both genomes of E. scabrifolius suggests the presence of two H genomes and the absence of the pivotal St genome of Elymus. On account of the uncertain identity of one genome, and the overall similar gross morphology of E. scabrifolius and other tetraploid South American species referred to Elymus, E. scabrifolius is retained in Elymus.

Chromosomal characterization of Pseudonannolene strinatii (Spirostreptida, Pseudonannolenidae)

The chromosomes of the cave millipede Pseudonannolene strinatii Mauriès, 1974 were investigated. The diploid chromosome number was found to be 2n=16, XX/XY; the C-banding technique revealed a large amount of heterochromatin while the silver staining technique (Ag-NOR) evidenced the presence of heteromorphism of the NORs in some cells.

Genome differentiation in Aegilops . 4. Evolution of the U-genome cluster

Phylogenetic relationships of polyploid Aegilops species sharing the U-genome were investigated by analyzing heterochromatin banding patterns of their somatic metaphase chromosomes as revealed by C-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with the heterochromatin-limited repetitive DNA probes pSc119, pAs1, as well as the distribution of NOR and 5S DNA loci revealed by pTa71 (18S-26S rDNA), and pTa794 (5S rDNA) probes. Seven tetraploid (Ae. triuncialis, Ae. peregrina, Ae. kotschyi, Ae. geniculata, Ae. biuncialis, Ae. columnaris, and 4x Ae. neglecta) and one hexaploid (6x Ae. neglecta) Aegilops species of the U-genome cluster were studied. The Ut and Ct chromosomes of 4x Ae. triuncialis (UtCt) were similar to the diploid donors Ae. umbellulata (U) and Ae. caudata (C). However, the size of the NOR locus on chromosome 5Ut was reduced. Karyotypic analyses confirmed that 4x Ae. peregrina (SpUp) was derived from a hybridization of the diploid species Ae. umbellulata with Ae. longissima, whereas Ae. umbellulata and Ae. sharonensis (or an immediate precursor) were the diploid progenitor species of Ae. kotschyi (SkUk). In both 4x species, the NORs on S-genome chromosomes were inactivated and were accompanied with a decrease or loss of rDNA sequences. Karyotypes of the tetraploid species, Ae. geniculata (UgMg) and Ae. biuncialis (UbMb) differed from each other and from the putative diploid progenitors Ae. umbellulata and Ae. comosa indicating that various types of chromosomal alterations occurred during speciation. Inactivation of major NORs on the M-genome chromosomes, redistribution of 5S rDNA sites, and loss of some minor 18S-26S rDNA loci were observed in Ae. geniculata and Ae. biuncialis. Significant differences in the total amount and distribution of heterochromatin, the number and location of 5S and 18S-26S rDNA loci observed between Ae. columnaris (UcXc)/4x Ae. neglecta (UnXn) and Ae. geniculata/Ae. biuncialis indicate that these species have different origins. Similarities in C-banding and FISH patterns of most Ae. columnaris and 4x Ae. neglecta chromosomes suggest that they were probably derived from a common ancestor, whereas distinct differences of three chromosome pairs may indicate that the divergence of these species was probably associated with chromosomal rearrangements and/or introgressive hybridization. Ae. umbellulata contributed the U genome, however, the source of their second genomes remains unknown. The formation of 6x Ae. neglecta (UnXnNn) was not associated with large modifications of the parental genomes.

Genetic variability in two captive colonies of Cebus apella paraguayanus (primates: platyrrhini) from eastern Paraguay

Abstract The tufted capuchin, Cebus apella is a New World Monkey (NWM) species widely used in biomedicine. Its genetic variability has been assessed through various genetic tools. The present study offers a cytogenetic characterization of two captive colonies of Paraguayan specimens, in order to increase the current information on the role of cytogenetic polymorphisms in management of captive capuchins, specially useful for those employed as biomedical models. G-banding confirms all individual as Cebus apella paraguayanus (CAPp). C-banding shows heterochromatic polymorphisms already published for this species, and a paracentric inversion of the interstitial heterochromatin of pair 12, with members of this pair remaining of equal size in all the sample. A retrospective study of C-band polymorphisms in captive CAPp individuals shows a great number of heteromorphisms, considering not only presence/absence of a particular band, but also size and amount of heterochromatin. Therefore, two types of heterochromatic heteromorphisms have been observed (distributional, with a paracentric inversion but no apparent loss of heterochromatin, and quantitative, with a drastic reduction of one homologue’s band, therefore on its total size) suggesting complex chromatin rearrangements for Paraguayan populations, and supporting the idea that Cebus is, among the NWM, perhaps the best model to analyze heterochromatin behavior.

Mapping the distribution of the telomeric sequence (T2AG3)n in the 2n = 14 ancestral marsupial complement and in the macropodines (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

In this study we test the theory that the presence of the conserved vertebrate telomeric sequence (T(2)AG(3))(n) at the centromeres of Australian marsupial 2n = 14 complements is evidence that these karyotypes are recently derived, which is contrary to the generally held view that the 2n = 14 karyotype is ancestral for Australasian and American marsupials. Here we compare the distribution of the (T(2)AG(3))( n ) sequence and constitutive heterochromatin in the presumed ancestral 2n = 14 complement and in complements with known rearrangements. We found that where there were moderate to large amounts of constitutive heterochromatin, the distribution of the (T(2)AG(3))(n) sequence reflected its presence as a native component of satellite DNA rather than its involvement in past rearrangements. The presence of centromeric heterochromatin in all Australian 2n = 14 complements therefore suggests that centromeric sites of the (T(2)AG(3))(n) sequence do not represent evidence for recent rearrangements.

Assembly and characterization of heterochromatin and euchromatin on human artificial chromosomes

An assay of the formation of heterochromatin and euchromatin on de novo human artificial chromosomes containing alpha satellite DNA revealed that only a small amount of heterochromatin may be required for centromere function and that replication late in S phase is not a requirement for centromere function.

Cloning, characterization and localization of Chinese hamster HP1 isoforms.

The Chinese hamster is one of the few mammalian species that are characterized by relatively poor heterochromatin content. It was intriguing to test whether or not the lack of large blocks of heterochromatin in the hamster chromosomes could be correlated with the absence or species-specific differences of the HP1 proteins, the main structural components of heterochromatin. To address this, we attempted to clone HP1 from the Chinese hamster. It is shown here that all three isoforms of HP1 known in mammals are present in hamster, and the amino acid sequences deduced from the cDNAs of the isoforms are 97-100% identical to those of the known mammalian homologues. All three isoforms are localized mainly in heterochromatic regions in the native chromosomes and nuclei. The hamster HP1 alpha gene was cloned, sequenced and mapped to the short arm of hamster chromosome 2. These data indicate that the Chinese hamster has all the HP1 components necessary for the establishment of heterochromatin. The limited amount of heterochromatin in hamster cells may probably be attributed to the unusual satellite DNA content of the hamster genome.

한국재래돼지의 G-, C-, 및 NOR-banding

본 연구는 한국재래돼지 염색체의 핵형 제시를 위하여 G-banding, C-banding 및 AgNORs를 분석하였다. 시험에 공시된 공시축은 축산기술연구소에서 선발 육종중인 재래돼지 종모돈 50두를 대상으로 각 개체별 혈액채취로서 혈액배양을 이용한 핵형 분석을 수행하였다. 한국재래돼지의 핵형은 38, XX 또는 XY로서 5쌍의 submetacentric chromosomes(Group I), 짧은 단완을 가진 2쌍의 acrocentric chromosomes(Group II), 5쌍의 metacentric chromosomes(Group III) 및 동원체가 말단부에 있는 6쌍의 acrocentric chromosomes(Group IV)로 구성된 36개의 상 염색체와 metacentric인 XX 또는 XY 성 염색체로 구성되어 있다. 재래돼지의 G-banding은 각 상동 염색체별 고유한 특징적 밴드 양상을 나타내고 있으며, 전체 염색체의 형태적 특징이나 대표적 landmarks는 국제표준핵형과 큰 차이가 없는 양상이다. 그러나 재래돼지의 경우 국제표준핵형에 비하여 보다 많은 band가 출현하였고 특히 1번, 3번, 5번, 6번, 7번, 8번, 13번, 14번, 15번, 16번, 17번, 18번 및 X 염색체에서 sub-bands의 분리를 나타내었다. 재래돼지의 C-banding은 비록 각 염색체들 간 heterochromatin의 양적 다형성이 존재하지만 거의 모든 상염색체의 동원체 부위에 C-bands가 나타나고, Y 염색체는 염색체의 전장에 걸친 heterochromatin의 분포를 보였다. AgNOR 염색에 의한 재래돼지의 NORs는 8번 및 10번 염색체의 동원체 부위에 확인되었고, 세포 당 NORs의 수는 2개에서 4개까지 관찰되었으며, 평균 2.13개로 분석되었다. 10번 염색체의 경우 모든 상동염색체에서 NORs가 나타나나 8번 염색체에서는 수적 다형성뿐만 아니라 양적 다형성을 나타내었다. 품종 간 NORs의 비교 분석에서 재래돼지의 NORs 수가 Yorkshire에 비해 유의적으로 높게 나타나 돼지의 NORs 분포 양상은 특히 8번 염색체에 있어 품종 간, 개체 간 및 세포 간에 다형적 변이 양상이 존재하는 것으로 사료된다. Using the G-, C-, and NOR-banding techniques, a karyotyping for Korean Native Pig was performed. Blood samples were collected from 50 male Korean Native Pigs that had been bred at the National Livestock Research Institute and then blood cells were prepared from in vitro cultures followed by karyotyping; G-, C-, and NOR-banding patterns of metaphase chromosomes were analyzed. The karyotype of Korean Native Pig is 38, XX or XY which consists of 5 pairs of submetacentric chromosomes(Group I), 2 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes with short p-arm(Group II), 5 pairs of medium metacentric chromosomes(Group III), 6 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes(Group IV) and metacentric X and Y sex chromosomes. On GTG-banding, the Korean Native Pig exhibited a typical and identical banding pattern in each homologous chromosomes. Overall chromosomal morphology and positions of typical landmarks of the Korean Native Pig were virtually identical to those of Committee for the Standardized Karyotype of the Domestic Pig(CSKDP). However, numbers of G-bands of the Korean Native Pig chromosomes were more than those of CSKDP. In chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and X, the Korean Native Pig exhibited more separated bands as compared with CSKDP. In C-banding patterns, although the quantity of heterochromatin was variable in each chromosome, most of the Korean Native Pig chromosomes had heterochromatic C-bands on centromeres. However, the heterochromatic C-band was constantly observed on the whole Y chromosome. In AgNOR staining, the NORs were located at centromeres on the chromosomes 8 and 10. The number of NORs per metaphase ranged from 2 to 4 giving a mean value of 2.13. The number of NORs were distributed on all chromosome pair 10 but not on chromosome 8. The sizes of NORs were also differed between homologous chromosomes 8. Numbers of NORs of Korean Native Pig were significantly higher than those of Yorkshire. The pattern of pig NORs was polymorphic in breeds, individuals and cells, especially on chromosome 8.