Analysis of three whole-arm translocations in a mouse sarcoma cell line

Three apparently whole-arm translocation chromosomes in the mouse sarcoma 180 ascites cell line have been studied by G- and C-banding and by Hoechst staining. All three chromosomes appear to have two centromeres. Both centromeres of one, which are very close together, are likely to be active and to produce parallel separation of the chromatids. The centromeres of the other two chromosomes are well separated. One of these two centromeres may be inactive either because the kinetochore organizer has been inactivated or because the kinetochore plate has been deleted, leaving the AT-rich centromeric constituative heterochromatin intact. The possibility that these whole arm translocations arose by telomeric fusion and the molecular basis of such fusions are discussed.