Differential action of restriction endonucleases on chromosomes prepared for light and electron microscopy

Whole mounted chromosomes from the L929 mouse cell line were digested on grids with HinfI and AluI restriction endonucleases and studied by electron microscopy. Results show differences in the pattern of bands obtained in a marker chromosome when compared with those previously reported by light microscopy with the same restriction endonucleases. These differences suggest that the accessibility of restriction sites on chromosomes may be modulated by preparatory methods for chromosome analysis.