Dynamics of 45S rDNA sites in the cell cycle: fragile sites and chromosomal stability in Lolium and Festuca.

Analyses carried out with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in C-metaphases of the Lolium-Festuca complex have shown the occurrence of spontaneous fragile sites (FSs) in 45S rDNA regions. FSs are expressed as gaps but they do not result in breaks or chromosomal fragments in these species. These gaps have high DNA condensation observed as thin chromatin fibers that connect the apparent segments of the fragile chromosome, allowing for genomic stability. Assessing the behavior of these regions in the cell cycle of Lolium and Festuca species may lead to a better understanding of the dynamics that preserve stability during cell division. Furthermore, it is interesting to track the dynamics of chromosomes bearing 45S rDNA sites in the cell cycle as well as to observe the expression of FSs with no effect of the mitotic block. We observed variation in both the number and size of 45S FISH signals from the S/G2 phases of interphase and from prophase to anaphase where gaps in 45S rDNA sites also were observed. The change in the degree of condensation of the 45S site begins in the S/G2 phase and appears to be related to the transcriptional demand. Taking into account that the number of 45S rDNA sites tends to be re-established when cells reach telophase, we suggest that the chromatin fiber goes back to the normal condensation level to the anaphase (after segregation), allowing for the approximation of chromosome segments and ensuring dynamics that favor the genomic stability of these species.

How does negative emotion cause false memories?

Remembering negative events can stimulate high levels of false memory, relative to remembering neutral events. In experiments in which the emotional valence of encoded materials was manipulated with their arousal levels controlled, valence produced a continuum of memory falsification. Falsification was highest for negative materials, intermediate for neutral materials, and lowest for positive materials. Conjoint-recognition analysis produced a simple process-level explanation: As one progresses from positive to neutral to negative valence, false memory increases because (a) the perceived meaning resemblance between false and true items increases and (b) subjects are less able to use verbatim memories of true items to suppress errors.