Ultrastructural detection of kinetochores by silver impregnation

Chromosome Res. 1994 Sep;2(5):369-75. doi: 10.1007/BF01552796.

Abstract

We describe a simple silver impregnation method for the ultrastructural detection of kinetochores on meiotic chromosomes of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans. Testes were fixed with glutaraldehyde and silver-impregnated. After Epon 812 embedding, ultrathin cutting and counterstaining with uranyl acetate, sections were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The meiotic chromosomes showed differentially silver-impregnated 'ball and cup' kinetochores. Some pericentriolar material also showed silver deposits. These observations are discussed in the light of previous results obtained by light microscopy of silver-stained spermatocytes in which both kinetochores and pericentriolar material were also preferentially stained. These results suggest a role for acidic proteins in the composition of these structures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Grasshoppers / genetics*
  • Kinetochores / ultrastructure*
  • Male
  • Meiosis
  • Silver Staining*
  • Spermatocytes / ultrastructure