The Y chromosome of the mouse is decondensed in Sertoli cells

The condensation of the Y chromosome in mouse cells was studied with two repetitive DNA probes, pY353/B and M34. Both DNA probes are specific to the Y chromosome and hybridize in situ along the whole chromosome. Due to the high resolution of the in situ hybridization technique with non-radioactive labeled DNA probes it was possible to observe the degree of condensation of the Y chromosome in the interphase cell nuclei of various somatic tissues and on testes preparations. The Sertoli cells were the only cell type in which the Y chromosome was always observed to be in a highly decondensed state. The decondensation of the Y chromosome in the Sertoli cells supports the view that the genetic activity of the Y chromosome is cell autonomous and opens the way to its molecular analysis.