Figure 6.
Loss of BAF function causes a defect in chromatin segregation during mitosis. Injection of double-stranded C. elegans BAF RNA into the gonads of C. elegans resulted in an early arrest in embryo development. Two-cell (Upper) and four-cell (Lower) embryos for both wild-type and BAF RNAi are shown and stained with either DAPI or tubulin antibody as indicated. Arrested embryos invariably had a mitosis defect with a characteristic abnormal pattern of chromatin segregation, as revealed by DAPI staining. In contrast to the clean segregation of condensed chromatin in wild-type cells, a trail of chromatin linked the two sets of chromosomes at anaphase (white arrows). Staining for tubulin revealed a normal spindle. Embryo arrest likely is due to progressive aneuploidy after aberrant divisions.