Effects of lead on the nuclear repetitive DNA of the moss Funaria hygrometrica (Bryophyta)

funaria hygrometrica gametophytes were grown in in vitro controlled systems in the presence and absence of lead. Their nuclear genomes were then analyzed directly in situ with A+T and G+C specific fluorochromes, image analysis and statistical data elaboration by specific software, in order to characterize the different fractions of repetitive DNA. The results reveal qualitative and quantitative differences between the nuclear genomes of lead-stressed and unstressed individuals. These differences seem to consist of a significant increase in G+C rich repetitive DNA sequences in nuclei of the stressed individuals. These sequences form well defined agglomerates, generally situated adjacent to the nucleolar region, which increase in both size and number in the presence of lead. Some hypotheses are discussed.