Detailed Hylobates lar karyotype defined by 25-color FISH and multicolor banding

K. Mrasek, A. Heller, N. Rubtsov, V. Trifonov, H. Starke, U. Claussen, T. Liehr

A comprehensive and detailed comparative chromosome map of the white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar = HLA) has been established by hybridizing the recently developed complete human multicolor banding (MCB) probe set on metaphase chromosomes of a male HLA lymphoblastoid cell line. Thus, it was possible to precisely determine the breakpoints and distribution plus orientation of specific DNA-regions in this cytogenetically highly rearranged species compared to Homo sapiens (HSA). In general, the obtained results are in concordance with previous molecular-cytogenetic studies. In this study all 71 breakpoints present in HLA compared to HSA could be determined exactly. This study is a valuable complement to our knowledge on the phylogeny of huminoid chromosomes.