Genetic origin of a trophoblastic choriocarcinoma.

Gestational choriocarcinoma can follow a term birth, a nonmolar abortion, or a complete hydatidiform mole. Among hydatidiform moles, heterozygous ones resulting from fertilization of an egg devoid of a nucleus by a diploid sperm (XY) or by dispermy (XX or XY) have been suggested to carry an increased predisposition to transformation to choriocarcinoma. Data on genetic analysis of choriocarcinoma are meager, being limited to cytogenetic analysis of a handful of established cell lines. Although the majority of these were heterozygous, antecedent pregnancies or molar tissues have not been investigated in any of them to clearly establish their genetic origin. We present here the results of a study of chromosomal heteromorphisms and DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms in a choriocarcinoma, the host, her spouse, and her son from the antecedent pregnancy. Our data show that the choriocarcinoma in this case most probably arose from the product of the same fertilization that led to the antecedent pregnancy.

Molecular structure of double reciprocal translocations: significance in B-cell lymphomagenesis.

The molecular structure of reciprocal translocations associated with low grade and high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas occurring together was analysed in two tumors. Sequential biopsies documented histological transformation of a large cell lymphoma to an immunoblastic lymphoma bearing t(14;18)(q32;q21) and t(8;22)(q24;q11). A second tumor, a small non-cleaved cell lymphoma, demonstrated a t(8;14)(q24;q11) as well as t(18;22)(q21;q11). DNA analysis from these tumors showed rearrangements at the Ig heavy chain, kappa and lambda light chains, BCL2 and c-MYC loci. Utilizing multiple enzyme digests and different probes spanning the BCL2, c-MYC and Ig genes, mapping of DNA break-points was performed. In both these tumors primary translocation events dysregulating the BCL2 or c-MYC were identified to have occurred in a pre-B-cell. Based on these results and those published previously, a sequence of B-cell development during which somatic recombination errors lead to the genesis of specific translocations is proposed. From these studies it is inferred that secondary dysregulation of a c-MYC in a lymphoma tumor carrying dysregulated BCL2 gene leads to rapid progression to high grade disease.

Molecular analysis of breaks in BCL-1 proto-oncogene in B-cell lymphomas with abnormalities of 11q13.

The t(11;14)(q13;q32) is a recurring translocation that occurs infrequently but non-randomly in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The putative oncogene BCL-1 located at the chromosomal band 11q13 has been cloned previously from a B-cell CLL with t(11;14). We studied the molecular structure of the BCL-1 gene in eight B-cell NHL tumors that exhibited a break at 11q13. The cytogenetic changes in these tumors were t(11;14) in three, t(1;11;14)(q32;q13;q32) in two and dup(11)(pter----q23::11q13----ter) in three. The BCL-1 gene was found to have rearranged in two tumors. By Southern blot analysis of single and double digested DNA from placenta and from the tumors, we mapped the breakpoint in BCL-1 to a 0.5 kb Pst-I-HindIII restriction fragment which was approximately 2kb away from the sites of previously mapped breakpoints. Sequential hybridization of Southern blots of these tumors with different immunoglobulin probes (for J region, Cu, Su) and BCL-1 probe identified co-migrating fragments with Su probe after BamHI restriction digestion. These results demonstrate that translocation breaks in the BCL-1 gene are not clustered in a short stretch of DNA at 11q13, and that the translocation related breaks in the immunoglobulin heavy chain can occur outside the joining region. The implications of these observations to the genesis of chromosomal translocations during B cell development are discussed.

Molecular characterization of a variant Ph1 translocation t(9;22;11) (q34;q11;q13) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) reveals the translocation of the 3'-part of BCR gene to the chromosome band 11q13.

We performed cloning and sequence analysis of translocation junctions at 11q- and 22q- (Ph1) chromosomes and the corresponding germline DNAs of a variant Ph1-positive CML with t(9;22;11)(q34;q11;q13). Southern blot analysis using probes for different regions of bcr mapped the translocation break near the 5'-side of bcr exon 4. Cloning, Southern blot analysis and restriction map analysis of both bcr fragments showed that the part of bcr 3'- to the translocation break moved to 11q13. Sequence analysis of the translocation junction on the Ph1 chromosome showed that the translocation break occurred 63 bp upstream of exon 4. Compared to the germline sequence, bcr sequence from the translocated partners showed deletion of seven basepairs at the site of translocation. A probe derived from the 5'-region of the clone isolated from the 11q- chromosome identified clonal rearrangements in the leukemic DNA. Restriction map and sequence analysis showed that this clone consisted of the 3'-half of the glutathione S-transferase Pi (GST-Pi) gene and the 3'-part of bcr. We identified two point mutations in the GST-Pi allele involved in translocation. Northern blot analysis showed that the GST-Pi gene was expressed in the leukemic cells at blast crisis but not at chronic phase; however, no fusion mRNA between GST-Pi and bcr was identified. We did not find any sequence homology between 11q13 DNA and 22q11 DNA around the translocation breakpoints; however, sequences homologous to ALU repeats were identified close to the sites of translocation breaks at 22q11 and 11q13. This study supports our hypothesis that variant Ph1 translocations may occur as primary cytogenetic changes similar to the classical Ph1 translocations.

Comparison of cytogenetic and molecular genetic detection of t(8;21) and inv(16) in a prospective series of adults with de novo acute myeloid leukemia: a Cancer and Leukemia Group B Study.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare cytogenetics and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of t(8;21)(q22;q22) and inv(16)(p13q22)/t(16;16)(p13;q22), aberrations characteristic of core-binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), in 284 adults newly diagnosed with primary AML. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cytogenetic analyses were performed at local laboratories, with results reviewed centrally. RT-PCR for AML1/ETO and CBFbeta/MYH11 was performed centrally. RESULTS: CBF AML was ultimately identified in 48 patients: 21 had t(8;21) or its variant and AML1/ETO, and 27 had inv(16)/t(16;16), CBFbeta/MYH11, or both. Initial cytogenetic and RT-PCR analyses correctly classified 95.7% and 96.1% of patients, respectively (P =.83). Initial cytogenetic results were considered to be false-negative in three AML1/ETO-positive patients with unique variants of t(8;21), and in three CBFbeta/MYH11-positive patients with, respectively, an isolated +22; del(16)(q22),+22; and a normal karyotype. The latter three patients were later confirmed to have inv(16)/t(16;16) cytogenetically. Only one of 124 patients reported initially as cytogenetically normal was ultimately RT-PCR-positive. There was no false-positive cytogenetic result. Initial RT-PCR was falsely negative in two patients with inv(16) and falsely positive for AML1/ETO in two and for CBFbeta/MYH11 in another two patients. Two patients with del(16)(q22) were found to be CBFbeta/MYH11-negative. M4Eo marrow morphology was a good predictor of the presence of inv(16)/t(16;16). CONCLUSION: Patients with t(8;21) or inv(16) can be successfully identified in prospective multi-institutional clinical trials. Both cytogenetics and RT-PCR detect most such patients, although each method has limitations. RT-PCR is required when the cytogenetic study fails; it is also required to determine whether patients with suspected variants of t(8;21), del(16)(q22), or +22 represent CBF AML. RT-PCR should not replace cytogenetics and should not be used as the only diagnostic test for detection of CBF AML because of the possibility of obtaining false-positive or false-negative results.

Metaphase I orientation of chain-forming interchange quadrivalents: a theoretical consideration.

The orientation behavior of chain forming interchange quadrivalents at metaphase I was studied in three interchange heterozygotes of pearl millet [Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke] which involve chromosomes 1, 3, 6 and 7 in various combinations. Of these, two combinations predominantly produced rings and the third was a chain-forming type. The chain quadrivalents derived from the two ring-forming interchanges, as well as the chain quadrivalent generated by the third interchange, all showed one adjacent orientation at metaphase I (adjacent-1 or -2, depending upon the formation or failure of chiasmata and their positions in the different segments of the pachytene cross). Homologous centromere co-orientation leading to adjacent-1 and alternate-1 occurs following chiasma failure in the noncentric arms of the pachytene cross, and nonhomologous centromere co-orientation leading to adjacent-2 and alternate-2 occurs following chiasma failure in the centric arms of the pachytene cross. Thus, it has been proposed that, unlike in ring quadrivalents, a specific chain quadrivalent will have only homologous or nonhomologous centromere co-orientations at metaphase I.

Clinical and morphological features of cases of trisomy 13 in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.

Trisomy 13 has been infrequently reported as a primary non-random karyotypic change in myeloid leukemias. To elucidate its clinical significance we examined the clinical and hematological data in nine ANLL patients in whom we found this change, in a series of 175 cytogenetically abnormal ANLL patients. Morphologically, six of the patients were FAB-M1, two were FAB-M4 and one was FAB-M5. Bone marrow aspirates contained more than 90% blasts in eight of the patients. By immunophenotype, TdT was present in four of the patients, CD34 was present in four of five patients tested and CD5 was present in one of five patients tested. Blast cells in all patients expressed two or more myeloid surface antigens. These data suggest the proliferation of an immature myeloid cell in these patients. Complete remission was achieved in seven patients; however, remissions were short-lived. Eight patients expired between 1 and 13 months from diagnosis (median survival 5 months). Combining our findings with data in the published literature on trisomy 13 in ANLL, a larger data set consisting of 29 patients was established to determine better the clinical significance of this cytogenetic entity in ANLL. We found that this cytogenetic change has been reported in all subsets of FAB classification excepting M6 and M7. Median age at presentation was 60 years and no association with gender was noted. Median WBC was 29.5 x 10(9)/l, the majority of patients were thrombocytopenic (median platelet count 86 x 10(9)/l) and median survival was 5.2 months. This study associates trisomy 13 with malignant transformation of myeloid progenitor cells. These patients respond well to induction therapy, but relapse occurs quickly and the survival duration is poor.

Molecular analysis of structural chromosome changes affecting chromosome band 11q23.

Involvement of the ets-1 proto-oncogene located at chromosome band 11q23 was studied in six tumors and in a congenital chromosome abnormality affecting the 11q23 region, in order to determine whether the breakpoint of these rearrangements was identical at the molecular level. In multiple restriction digestions a 5.4 kb EcoRI genomic probe of the c-ets-1 gene did not detect rearrangements in any of these samples. Thus, in these tumors the break in DNA was not within the domain of c-ets-1 recognized by this probe. However, after digestion with XbaI enzyme the probe detected a 2.4 kb polymorphic allele in placental DNA. One tumor DNA sample showed homozygosity for this polymorphic allele. In order to determine the frequency of this polymorphic allele, DNA from 50 additional tumors and from the blood of nine healthy donors was analyzed. DNA from one tumor showed homozygosity for the polymorphic allele. In the 67 DNA samples studied, 17.9 per cent were heterozygous for the polymorphic site and 3 per cent were homozygous for the polymorphic site. Thus, the overall frequency of the polymorphic allele in these samples was 0.111.

Non random cytogenetic changes characterize Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rapidly proliferating neoplasm of neuroectodermal origin presenting in skin. Karyotypes obtained in direct preparations of three Merkel cell carcinomas were analyzed and compared with six other tumors which were reported in the literature. Of the nine tumors studied so far, eight (89 per cent) showed structural abnormalities of chromosome 1. These abnormalities were in the form of trisomy for chromosome 1q22----ter. Furthermore, it was also observed that the breaks of these rearrangements on chromosome 1 occurred at the bands to which c-oncogenes N-ras (p31), L-myc (p32), c-src (p36), c-ski (q22-22), and the beta-subunit of the nerve growth factor (NGF) (p22) were localized. In addition to structural changes, five out of the nine tumors (55.5 per cent) were trisomic for chromosome 1. Merkel cell tumors are often confused with small cell carcinoma of lung or peripheral neuroepithelioma. The cytogenetic abnormalities such as rearrangement of chromosome 3p and t(11;22)(q23;q12) which characterize lung carcinoma and peripheral neuroepithelioma, respectively, were not seen in any of the nine Merkel cell tumors studied. Thus it appears that rearrangement of chromosome 1 was non-randomly associated with Merkel cell carcinoma. It is of interest to note that genes involved in neuronal development and or differentiation have been mapped to the bands at which breaks occurred in these tumors. The significance of these changes is briefly discussed.

Cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis of abnormal cells in Hodgkin's disease.

Eleven tumors from ten patients with Hodgkin's diseases (HD) were characterized by histologic, cytogenetic, immunophenotypic, and genotypic studies. Cell surface markers for lymphocyte antigens did not show clonal excess. Five tumors showed the presence of karyotypically abnormal cells, but no common abnormalities were found. The remaining six tumors showed normal karyotypes. Ten tumors were analyzed for gene rearrangements with probes for IgJH, IgCk. IgC lambda, and TCR-beta genes. The IgJH probe detected a minor clonal population (about 5%) in one tumor with abnormal karyotype; three tumors with abnormal karyotypes showed germline genotype. In contrast, four of the six tumors with normal karyotypes showed rearrangements in IgJH (one tumor) and in C-lambda (three tumors) genes. The pattern of gene rearrangement observed in these tumors did not obey the hierarchy described in B-cell differentiation. These results suggest that B-cell lineage cannot be attributed unequivocally to the clonal populations in HD.

Nonrandom chromosomal aberrations are associated with sites of tissue involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In an effort to assess the utility of pretreatment cytogenetics as indicators of sites of involvement by lymphoma, clinical and cytogenetic correlations were performed on 133 consecutive specimens derived from 130 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Nonrandom chromosomal aberrations detected at the time of diagnosis were associated with sites of clinical involvement presenting initially or during the progression of the lymphoma. Statistically significant associations included translocation breaks involving the chromosomal region 1p32-36 and bone marrow involvement, chromosome 14 abnormalities including breaks at 14q22-24 and splenic involvement, chromosome 9 abnormalities and pulmonary involvement, and monosomy 11 and bone involvement. A significant correlation was also observed between breaks involving the region 6q22-24, detected during the course of disease, and bone marrow involvement by lymphoma. The relationship of the sites of nonrandom chromosomal breakage reported here to known cellular oncogenes and implications to concepts of tumor evolution and spread are discussed.

Spontaneous chlorophyll mutants of Pennisetum americanum: Genetics and chlorophyll quantities.

Thirteen spontaneously occurring chlorophyll deficient phenotypes have been described and their genetic basis was established. Ten of these - 'white', 'white tipped green', 'patchy white', 'white virescent', 'white striping 1', 'white striping 2', 'white striping 4', 'fine striping', 'chlorina' and 'yellow virescent' showed monogenic recessive inheritance and the remaining three - 'yellow striping', 'yellow green' and 'light green' seedling phenotypes showed digenic recessive inheritance. The genes for (i) 'white tipped green' (wr) and 'yellow virescent' (yv) and (ii) 'patchy white' (pw) and 'white striping 1' (wst 1) showed independent assortment. Further, the genes for 'white' (w), 'white tipped green' (wr) and 'yellow virescent' (yv) were inherited independently of the gene for hairy leaf margin (Hm).In the mutants - 'white tipped green', 'patchy white', 'white striping 1', 'white striping 2', 'fine striping', 'chlorina', 'yellow virescent', 'yellow striping', 'yellow green' and 'light green' phenotypes total quantity of chlorophyll was significantly less than that in the corresponding controls, while in 'white virescent' there was no reduction in the mature stage. For nine of the mutants the quantity of chlorophyll was also estimated in F1's (mutant x control green). In F1's of six of the mutants - 'white tip', 'patchy white', 'chlorina', 'yellow virescent', 'fine striping' and 'yellow striping' the quantity of chlorophyll was almost equal to the wild type. In the F1's of three of the mutants - 'white striping 1', 'white striping 2' and 'light green' an intermediate value between the mutant and wild types was observed. In 'yellow virescent' retarded synthesis of chlorophyll, particularly chlorophyll a was observed in the juvenile stage. Reduced quantity of chlorophyll was associated with defective chloroplasts. In the mutants - 'white tipped green, 'white virescent', 'fine striping', 'chlorina', 'yellow striping', 'yellow green' and 'light green' defective plastids were also observed. In 'patchy white' secondary destruction of chlorophylls and the presence of defective plastids were found to be associated with reduced chlorophyll quantity at maturity.Paper chromatographic studies of leaf flavonoids revealed some variation between the inbreds, but there were three common spots, 7, 8 and 9, except for PDP in which the spot 8 was absent. Chlorophyll deficient mutants differed from their respective controls in the absence of one or more of the spots present in the controls and in the presence of new spots in some of the mutants.Most of the chlorophyll mutants showed higher survival rate in the Kharif season than in Rabi season which was attributed to the higher mean day temperature and longer day light period in the Kharif season than in Rabi season.

Cytogenetics of a factor for syncyte formation and male sterility in Pennisetum americanum.

Male sterility in Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke, inbred line IP 482, was found to be inherited as a monofactorial recessive phenotype. Homozygosity for the gene designated ms 2, produced in addition to pollen abortion, plasmodial tapetum, plasmodial pollen mother cells, delayed and asynchronous meiotic development, desynapsis and blockage of meiosis. Plasmodial PMCs resulted from the fusion of PMCs at pachytene.

Patterns of chromosome breakage in nonHodgkin lymphoma: significance to gene alteration in tumorigenesis.

In a comprehensive cytogenetic analysis of nonHodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that was based on a database derived from karyotypic descriptions of 264 tumors, we previously established correlations between specific chromosome changes and histologic subtypes of lymphoma. In the present paper we analyze the total chromosome breakage encountered in this group of tumors. This analysis permitted distinction between sites of nonrandom breakage that are specific for lymphoid tumors (and hence of probable primary or etiologic significance) and sites of nonrandom breakage that are common to lymphoid as well as nonlymphoid tumors (and hence of probable secondary or evolutionary significance). We also observed that breakage affected all of the immunoglobulin and T cell receptor gene sites and most of the known cellular oncogene and fragile sites; however, only a limited number of these sites exhibited statistically significant breakage. Of special interest was the fact that the fragile sites that exhibited significant breakage were mostly those that also were sites of cellular oncogenes. Our data suggest that breakage at sites of immunoglobulin genes and a limited number of cellular oncogenes alone is of importance in B-cell lymphomagenesis. While the timing or causes of genomic destabilization in tumorigenesis are unknown, recent molecular analysis of junction regions of chromosome rearrangements designated here as primary translocations has suggested that more than one mechanism may be involved in their generation. This study identifies chromosomal sites of nonrandom perturbation that may be targeted for detailed molecular analysis aimed at understanding the origin, evolution, and spread of B-cell NHL.

Meiotic chromosome segregation in human t(11;22)(q23;q11) carriers: a theoretical consideration.

The t(11;22)(q23;q11) translocation is the most frequently encountered familial reciprocal translocation in humans. In the majority of reported cases ascertainment has been through the birth of a child with the chromosomal constitution 47,XX,+der(22) or 47,XY,+der(22), i.e., tertiary trisomy. Previous segregation analysis of familial cases showed a number of interesting features. Thus, euploid unbalanced genotypes resulting from adjacent segregation are absent in the progeny, and only tertiary trisomic offspring are recovered. To explain this unusual progeny output we present here a model for the meiotic behavior of this translocation in the carriers based on an analysis of cytogenetic data of progeny of carriers. This model predicts the formation of a chain trivalent with chromosome order 11-der(11)-22 during prophase I and its predominant alternate orientation at metaphase I.

Cytogenetic behaviour and phosphate and potassium content in desynaptic pearl millet.

Continued inbreeding by self pollination resulted in a proportion of sterile plants in some families of the inbred line IP 1475 of Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke. Cytological examinations of the sterile plants revealed mild to extreme desynapsis and also chromosome fragmentation in some plants. Segregation ratios in the selfed families did not fit into any simple Mendelian ratio; however, in one F2 family of the cross desynaptic x normal, segregation into 15 normal: 1 desynaptic was observed. Plants from a segregating family were classified as normals, desynaptics with 2-6 univalents, desynaptics with 2-10 univalents, desynaptics with 10-14 univalents and desynaptics with chromosome fragmentation. Estimation of the content of phosphate and potassium from the flag leaves did not reveal significant differences between the five groups of plants.

Novel restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the cellular oncogene SEA.

The human homologue of the SEA oncogene has been mapped recently to chromosome band 11q13. While studying the possible involvement of this gene in the variant translocation t(9;22;11) (q34;q11;q13) in a case of chronic myelogenous leukemia, we identified novel polymorphisms for XbaI and SacI restriction enzyme sites in the SEA gene. Frequency of the polymorphic alleles was studied in 100 samples from healthy controls, 94 samples from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 25 samples from patients with benign lymphadenopathy, and 38 samples from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. XbaI digestion showed a three-allele polymorphism with two frequent alleles A (8.0 kb) and B (9.2 kb) and a rare allele (5.8 kb). After SacI digestion the probe identified two primary genotypes. Genotype I showed two hybridizable DNA fragments, one each of 6.6 and 3.5 kb. In genotype II the 3.5 kb fragment was absent, instead two smaller fragments, one each of 1.9 kb and 1.6 kb were present. The 6.6 kb fragment (allele AA) had three polymorphic sites generating 6.2 kb fragment (allele BB), 7.4 kb fragment (allele CC), and 7.8 kb fragment (allele DD). Frequencies of the two genotypes and the four alleles followed Mendelian proportions in all the samples studied. Furthermore, this study shows the importance of restriction map analysis of DNA in the vicinity of the probe of an oncogene to distinguish natural polymorphisms from the disease-related rearrangements in the gene.

Analysis of meiotic segregation in a man heterozygous for two reciprocal translocations using the hamster in vitro penetration system.

Sperm chromosomal complements of a man heterozygous for two reciprocal translocations and exhibiting the karyotype 46,XY,t(5;11) (p13;q23.2),t(7;14)(q11;q24.1) were analyzed following in vitro fusion with golden hamster zona-free eggs (the hamster in vitro penetration [HIP] system). Products of alternate, adjacent 1, and 3:1 segregation at meiosis I of both translocation quadrivalents were recovered, and the analysis of their output, which was dissimilar between the two translocations, permitted prediction of probable sites of chiasma formation in the chromosomes involved in the translocation. These data, which comprise the first reported analysis of the products of two translocations in a single individual (hence, in a common genetic background), emphasize the uniqueness in genetic behavior of individual translocations; they further demonstrate the usefulness of the HIP system to carry out such studies.

Cyclin D2 promoter disrupted by t(12;22)(p13;q11.2) during transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In a unique case of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) we performed a longitudinal cytogenetic and molecular genetic study of tumour cells from diagnosis through progression and transformation to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and lymphomatous meningitis. CLL cells at diagnosis had trisomy 12 and a t(14;19)(q32;q13.3). At relapse, the leukaemic cells had a subclone carrying a t(12;22)(p13;q11.2) in addition to the initial changes. We cloned reciprocal translocation junctions at the 22q11.2- chromosome and the 12p13+ chromosome and the corresponding germline DNA fragments. Restriction map analysis and nucleotide sequence analysis of the cloned DNA fragment from the 22q11.2- chromosome mapped the translocation break within the immunoglobulin (Ig)-lambda-C complex at the nt3889; nts 3890, 3891 were lost from the translocation site. A probe from the 3'-end of the clone derived from the 22q11.2- chromosome showed single copy hybridization which was different from the Ig-lambda probe. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the exact junction region and the corresponding germline DNA showed that the translocation at 12p13 occurred in the negative regulatory region of the cyclin D2 gene at the nt -1602, and a pentamer consisting of nts -1603 to -1599 was lost at the break site. We sequenced another 227 bp upstream of the known 5'-end of the promoter and did not find any open reading frame. From these results we hypothesize that, in this patient, the t(12;22) disrupted the negative regulator in the promoter of cyclin D2 which in turn might have deregulated cyclin D2.

The effect of trisomy on meiotic behaviour of interchange complexes in pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum (L.) leeke.

In the selfed progeny of a spontaneously produced triploid interchange heterozygote four different double trisomic plants were observed. In all the plants the frequency of alternate orientation of multivalents was lower compared to their respective types in the sib single trisomic plants. The frequency of alternate co-orientation of the interchange complex in these trisomics was also reduced compared to that of parental euploid disomic interchange heterozygotes. It is suggested that the presence of extra chromosomes influences the orientation behaviour of higher associations in different trisomics.