Proteins from metaphase chromosomes treated with fluorochromes

The biochemical composition of any isolated organelle is affected by the agent(s) to which it has been exposed during the isolation and purification procedures. Many agents are known to extract molecular components either selectively or nonselectively. The protein composition of isolated chromosomes exposed to fluorochromes must be examined before proceeding to the biochemical analysis of the proteins from individual chromosomes purified by flow cytometry techniques. We have examined the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein profiles from from metaphase chromosome exposed to the fluorochromes and staining conditions commonly used for flow cytometry. We find that the electropherograms of the protein of metaphase chromosomes which have been exposed to various fluorochromes are indistinguishable from controls. The analysis of proteins from individual chromosomes sorted by flow cytometry can now be undertaken.