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Chromosome digestion with the restriction enzyme alu I: a simple method of c-banding

Maria Lecticia F. Penna^I; Elen R.C. Fontoura^II; Bethania M.A. Pena^II; Sérgio D.J. Pena^{I, II}

^ILaboratório de Genética Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
^IINúcleo de Genética Médica de Minas Gerais, GENE/MG, Caixa Postal 3396, 30112 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. Send correspondence to S.D.J.P.

ABSTRACT

Treatment of freshly prepared human chromosomes with low concentrations (10 U/ml) of the restriction enzyme Alu I, followed by Giemsa staining, consistently produces good-quality C-banding. This CAG (C-bands by Alu I using Giemsa) banding is simple, quick and inexpensive, thus being well suited for the routine cytogenetics laboratory.

Keywords: chromosome; digestion; restriction; enzyme; c-banding.

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