Labeling of human centromeres using an alphoid DNA consensus sequence: application to the scoring of chromosome aberrations.

Precise identification of centromeres is required for accurate scoring of asymmetrical chromosome aberrations, such as dicentrics. The centromeric regions of all human chromosomes can be labeled by in situ hybridization of a 30 nucleotide oligomer having the sequence of a conserved region of an alphoid DNA consensus sequence. Fluorescent detection of the hybridized probe allows rapid identification of centromeres and accurate scoring of dicentrics, multicentrics, acentric fragments, and the centromeric content of ring chromosomes. This procedure provides a novel approach for scoring these complex chromosome aberrations, particularly damage induced by radiation or radiomimetic agents.