Multi-dimensional analyses of plant chromosomes and genomes.

Genome and chromosome analyses in plants using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immuno-staining (IMS) methods are reviewed by presenting the recent results obtained by the Chromosome Link, a group of chromosome and genome researchers. FISH is now effective to detect unique nucleotide sequences with 153 bp on the extended DNA fibers. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) also allows painting plant chromosomes of different genomes. GISH is quite effective to detect the genomic differentiation in the individual chromosomes within a nucleus. Three dimensional (3D) analyses are now available by confocal microscopy and a deconvolution system. These techniques are invaluable to visualize both the structural and functional dynamics within a nucleus. 3D-FISH revealed the spatial differentiation of different genomees within a nucleus. 3D-FISH also proved structural partition of centromeric and telomeric domains within a barely nucleus. The dynamic acetylation of histone H4 at the specific regions of a genome during a cell cycle is also analyzed using 3D-IMS. It is anticipated that these methods will provide us powerful tools to understand the structural and functional significance of plant chromosomes and genomes.