Localization of repetitive DNAs to zebrafish (Danio rerio) chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

The genome of the zebrafish, Danio rerio, contains two major classes of tandem repetitive elements (AT-rich and GC-rich). The AT-rich repeats can be further subdivided into two subgroups which differ by about 10% of 185 bp in the repeating unit. The chromosomal location of these sequences and the moderately repetitive 5S rDNA sequences was determined in two diploid zebrafish cell lines using in-situ hybridization with fluorochrome-labeled probes. The AT-rich sequences were found at the centromeres of all chromosome pairs and the GC-rich sequences were found in paracentromeric location on over half of the chromosomal pairs. Different patterns of hybridization were found for the two subgroups of the AT-rich family. One type hybridized primarily to centromeres of one half to two thirds of the chromosomal pairs and the other type to centromeres of about three fourths of the chromosomal pairs. The pattern of hybridization with the GC-rich sequences varied somewhat between the cell lines consistent with interindividual variation in the location of paracentromeric heterochromatin. The 5S rRNA genes are found on the long arm of chromosome 3. Most of this chromosome arm is late replicating, but apparently does not contain either the AT-rich or GC-rich repetitive sequences.