Condensation Pattern (CP) Analysis of Plant Chromosomes by an Improved Chromosome Image Analysing System, CHIAS III

Kato, S.
Fukui, K.

¹Division of Biotechnology, Yamanashi Prefectural Agricultural Research Center, Kitakoma 407-0105, Japan

Present address: Minamitsuru Agricultural Extension Office, 3-3-3 Tahara, Tsuru 402-0054, Japan

²(corresponding author) Laboratory of Rice Genetic Engineering, Hokuriku National Agricultural Experiment Station, Joetsu 943-0193, Japan. Tel: (+81) 255 26 3238; Fax: (+81) 255 24 8578; E-mail: [email protected]

Chromosome Research 6(6):p 473-479, September 1998.

The third-generation chromosome image analysing system (CHIAS III) was developed by using an ordinary personal computer with public domain imaging software, the NIH Image. An uneven condensation pattern (CP) appearing on small sugarcane chromosomes at the mitotic prometaphase stage was analysed and a quantitative chromosome map or idiogram was developed by using CHIAS III. The analysis consists of three major steps as follows: (1) manipulation of original chromosome images and measurement of CP or numerical data of the CP; (2) calculation of an averaged CP for homologous chromosomes; and (3) development of an idiogram based on the averaged CP. The CP has been analysed quantitatively by using the first- and the second-generation chromosome image analysing systems with hard- and software specific to the systems. The data obtained using CHIAS III are consistent with those obtained with the chromosome image analysing systems previously developed.