Amphibian Lampbrush Chromosome Loops: Correlative Light Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy Observations

The RNP matrix of landmark loops in Pleurodeles waltlii lampbrush chromosomes have been examined by light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. This study shows that in normal loops as well as granular, globular and dense loops, the RNP matrices are composed of one basic structure: an RNP particle with a diameter of 30 nm. The scanning electron microscope study also clarified the spatial arrangement of the various types of RNP matrices. The specific morphology of the RNP matrices is due to i) the progressive packaging of transcription products and ii) a concomitant and gradual coiling of the loop axis