Features of structural organization of mouse centrometric heterochromatin, detected during differential decondensation of chromosomes

The centromeric heterochromatin (CH) of mouse metaphase and interphase chromosomes has been shown to be practically devoid of the chromonemal and chromomeric levels of DNP organization. CH decondensation into DNP-fibrils caused by decreasing Ca2+-ions concentration is accomplished without formation of chromonemata and chromomeres. The peripheral regions of CH, immediately contacting the inner surface of kinetochores, display the highest stability towards the factors inducing the artificial decondensation.