The cover image shows RPA expression in human spermatocytes (a-c) and RPA distribution analysis (d-f) SMC3 protein (cohesion axis) is shown in green (a and b), SCPY3 and SCPY1 proteins (SC proteins) are shown in brown (c-f), centromeres in blue and RPA protein in red (a and b), in green (c, e and f) and in white (d). RPA bridge-like structures are visible between as yet unsynapsed homologous SCs at early zygotene (a, arrows) and at late zygotene on some SCs that are delayed in the synaptic process (b, arrow). Some RPA bridge-like structures appear to pull the two homologues together (b, arrowhead; c, arrow). RPA is absent from the heterochromatic regions of chromosomes Y and 9. Chromosome 9 heterochromatin has been delimited with the combined use of a centromeric probe (d, green signal) and a BAC probe targeting the band immediately adjacent to the heterochromatic region (d, red signal). Acrocentric chromosomes have been identified by FISH [SCs 13, 21 (Cy3) and 15 (Spectrum Aqua)] and by size and morphology (SCs 14 and 22) (e). (f) corresponds to (e) without the red FISH signals. Some RPA foci have been detected in the p arm of acrocentric chromosomes (f, arrow). White bar corresponds to 10 μm. (See Oliver-Bonet et al., pp. 837-844).
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