Application of ethidium bromide for high-resolution banding analysis of chromosomes from human malignant cells

Ethidium bromide was added to cultured human leukemic bone marrow and solid tumor cells to evaluate its inhibitory effect on mitotic chromosome condensation and its possible application to high-resolution banding analysis. In most experiments ethidium bromide treatment resulted in a high proportion of mitotic cells having elongated chromosomes, without remarkable reduction in either the mitotic index or quality of metaphase chromosomes. Optimal effect on chromosome length was obtained by adding 10 micrograms/ml of ethidium bromide during the final 2 hr of culture. Because of the simplicity and reproducibility of the technique involved, ethidium bromide can be used routinely to extend the length of chromosomes for fine-banding analysis of malignant cells.