Construction of a GT polymorphism map of human 9q.

To construct a framework map of human chromosome 9 consisting of highly informative markers, we identified 36 cosmid clones from chromosome 9 that contained long GT repeat sequences. The cosmids were found to cluster on the long arm of the chromosome, particularly in the q32-34 region. Thirteen highly informative polymorphisms from 9q were identified, with median observed heterozygosity 0.75 and median calculated heterozygosity based upon allele frequencies of 0.75. These new GT repeat polymorphisms (D9S56, D9S58-67), as well as anchor GT polymorphisms for D9S15 (MCT112, 9q13), and ABL and ASS (both 9q34.1) were utilized to construct a linkage map of human 9q by the typing of the Venezuelan Reference Pedigree. Care was taken to avoid errors, including analysis of the data with CHROMLOOK and verification of all double crossover events detected within a 30 cM interval by repetition of the marker analysis. The map was generated using the MAPMAKER program. All positions in the resulting map are favored by odds of greater than 10(4):1. The map has a sex-averaged length of 90 cM (Kosambi function) with a single maximum intermarker recombination fraction of 26%. All other intermarker recombination fractions are less than 15%. As D9S15 is known to be closely linked to markers on proximal 9p, and ASS/ABL are in band 34.1, this set of GT polymorphisms spans the length of 9q and provides a useful panel for linkage analysis of disease genes to this region. The marker order was confirmed by in situ hybridization of the cosmid clones to metaphase spreads of normal human chromosomes, which indicated an excess of recombination in the telomeric region in comparison to centromeric 9q, in agreement with previous chiasmata distribution observations. Two spontaneous new mutations for these GT repeat markers were identified, giving an overall observed spontaneous mutation rate of 0.00045 per locus per gamete. Direct observation of new mutations has not been previously reported for dinucleotide polymorphisms, but the observed rate is consistent with frequencies observed for other VNTR polymorphisms.     

Linkage analysis of the human HMG14 gene on chromosome 21 using a GT dinucleotide repeat as polymorphic marker

A (GT)n repeat in intron 4 of the functional human HMG14 gene on chromosome 21 was used as polymorphic marker to map this gene relative to the genetic linkage map of human chromosome 21. Variation in the length of the (GT)n repeat was detected by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels of DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using primers flanking the repeat. The observed heterozygosity of this polymorphism in 40 CEPH families was 58% with six different alleles. Linkage analysis localized the HMG14 gene close to the ETS2 gene and locus D21S3 in chromosomal band 21q22.3.     

Genetic Polymorphism and Recombination in the Subtelomeric Region of Chromosome 14q

Subtelomeric regions of human chromosomes are the sites of increased meiotic recombination and have a male-to-female recombination ratio that is higher than elsewhere in the genome. We isolated two novel, polymorphic CA repeat markers from the distal part of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene cluster, approximately 90 and 200 kb from the telomere of chromosome 14q. The 14q telomere was unambiguously located by physical mapping of telomeric YACs andBal31 exonuclease digestion of genomic DNA. We then constructed haplotypes using genotype data from these markers and data from sCAW1 (D14S826) for use as a highly polymorphic genetic marker. Linkage analysis using the 40 pedigree CEPH reference panel and genotype data from these and other loci physically mapped to the terminal 1.5 Mb of chromosome 14q revealed an apparent increase in meiotic recombination within this region, relative to the average rate for the genome. Further, we found that recombination was higher in females than in males, indicating that the subtelomeric region of 14q differs from other human subtelomeric regions.     

A 2-cM genetic linkage map of human chromosome 7p that includes 47 loci.

A new high-resolution genetic linkage map for human chromosome 7p has been constructed. The map is composed of 47 loci (54 polymorphic systems), 19 of which are uniquely placed with odds of at least 1000:1. Four genes are represented, including glucokinase (GCK, ATP:D-hexose-6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.2) which was mapped via a (CA)n dinucleotide repeat polymorphism. The sex-average map measures 94.4 cM and the male and female maps measure 73.2 and 116.1 cM, respectively. We believe that the genetic map extends nearly the full length of the short arm of chromosome 7 since a centromere marker has been incorporated, and the most distal marker, D7S21, has been cytogenetically localized by in situ hybridization to 7p22-pter. The average marker spacing is 2 cM, and the largest interval between uniquely placed markers is 13 cM (sex-average map). Overall, female recombination was observed to be about 1.5 times that of males, and a statistically significant sex-specific recombination frequency was found for a single interval. The map is based on genotypic data gathered from 40 CEPH reference pedigrees and was constructed using the CRI-MAP program package. The map presented here represents a combined and substantially expanded dataset compared to previously published chromosome 7 maps, and it will serve as a "baseline" genetic map that should prove useful for future efforts to develop a 1-cM map and for construction of a contiguous clone-based physical map for this chromosome.     

A genetic linkage map of human chromosome 21: analysis of recombination as a function of sex and age.

A genetic linkage map of human chromosome 21 has been constructed using 22 anonymous DNA markers and five complementary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding the amyloid beta protein precursor (APP), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), the ets-2 proto-oncogene (ETS2), the estrogen inducible breast cancer locus (BCEI), and the leukocyte antigen, CD18 (CD18). Segregation of RFLPs detected by these DNA markers was traced in the Venezuelan Reference Pedigree (VRP). A comprehensive genetic linkage map consisting of the 27 DNA markers spans 102 cM on the long arm of chromosome 21. We have confirmed our initial findings of a dramatically increased rate of recombination at the telomere in both females and males and of significantly higher recombination in females in the pericentromeric region. By comparing patterns of recombination in specific regions of chromosome 21 with regard to both parental sex and age, we have now identified a statistically significant downward trend in the frequency of crossovers in the most telomeric portion of chromosome 21 with increasing maternal age. A less significant decrease in recombination with increasing maternal age was observed in the pericentromeric region of the chromosome. These results may help in ultimately understanding the physical relationship between recombination and nondisjunction in the occurrence of trisomy 21.     

Physical mapping of probes within 14q32, a subtelomeric region showing a high recombination frequency

The genetic linkage map of chromosome 14q32 contains 11 loci which span a distance of more than 60 cM. We have assigned 10 of these loci and the AKT1 proto-oncogene to segments of 14q32, using breakpoints derived from four independent chromosomal deletions or rearrangements. The most telomeric breakpoint was found in a proband (HSC 6) carrying a ring-14 chromosome. HSC 6 is monosomic for the distal part of 14q32, which contains the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus (IGH), and random markers D14S20, D14S19, and D14S23. Two other chromosomal breakpoints, found in probands HSC 121 and HSC 981, could not be distinguished from each other using DNA probes, although the cytogenetic breakpoints appeared to be different at 14q32.32 and 14q32.31, respectively. The region between the breakpoints of HSC 6 and HSC 121 contains AKT1, D14S1, D14S17, and D14S16. The entire telomeric band 14q32 is assumed to contain about 10% of chromosome 14, or approximately 10 Mb. The 8 most telomeric loci, including D14S1, map to 14q32.32-qter, which measures only several megabases. However, these loci span a genetic distance of 23 cM. The high recombination frequency contrasts with the observation that two of the gamma genes in the IGH constant region show a high degree of linkage disequilibrium, though 180 kb apart. This finding suggests that a telomeric localization per se does not lead to a higher recombination frequency and favors the hypothesis that the higher recombination frequency at the telomeres may be due to specific "hot spots" for recombination.     

Linkage mapping of the highly informative DNA marker D21S156 to human chromosome 21 using a polymorphic GT dinucleotide repeat

A (GT)n repeat within the anonymous DNA sequence D21S156 was shown to be highly polymorphic in DNA from members of the 40 CEPH families. At least 12 alleles of this locus were recognized by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels of DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers flanking the (GT)n repeat. The polymorphism information content was 0.82. PCR amplification of DNA from somatic cell hybrid lines mapped D21S156 to human chromosome 21 and linkage analysis localized this marker close to the loci ETS2, D21S3, and HMG14 on chromosomal band 21q22.3. This polymorphism is highly informative and can serve as an anchor locus for human chromosome 21.     

A Contiguous Physical Map of the Pericentromeric Region of Chromosome 21q between D21Z1 and D21S13E

We constructed a long range restriction map of the pericentromeric 21q region between the centromere, identified by the alphoid DNA sequence D21Z1, and D21S13E. The physical map showed the order and intermarker distances of five new loci, including two for which highly informative dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms were identified. The total distance between D21Z1 and D21S13E was 2400 kb. Comparison of genetic and physical distances indicated that there is about 400 to 500 kb per centimorgan that is not significantly different from the average 470 kb per centimorgan for the whole of chromosome 21q. Our physical mapping results do not indicate suppression of recombination in pericentromeric 21q.     

VNTR and microsatellite polymorphisms within the subtelomeric region of 7q.

The molecular basis of a highly polymorphic RFLP marker, HTY146c3 (D7S591), within the subtelomeric region of human chromosome 7q was determined by restriction-fragment and DNA sequence analysis. Two polymorphic systems were found--a simple base-substitution polymorphism and a GC-rich VNTR element with a core structure of C3AG2C2. In addition, a compound-imperfect CA dinucleotide-repeat element was identified approximately 10-20 kb from the telomeric sequence repeat (T2AG3), demonstrating that microsatellites can extend essentially to the ends of human chromosomes. The microsatellite marker, sAVH-6 (D7S594), is highly polymorphic, with 10 alleles and an observed heterozygosity of 84% found with the CEPH (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) reference pedigree collection. In combination with the RFLPs, the informativeness of the markers contained within 240 kb at the telomere approaches 100%. A unique genetic and physical STS marker, sAVH-6, defines the endpoint of the long arm of human chromosome 7.     

Differences in recombination frequencies during female and male meioses of the sex chromosomes of the medaka, Oryzias latipes

In the medaka, Oryzias latipes, sex is determined chromosomally. The sex chromosomes differ from those of mammals in that the X and Y chromosomes are highly homologous. Using backcross panels for linkage analysis, we mapped 21 sequence tagged site (STS) markers on the sex chromosomes (linkage group 1). The genetic map of the sex chromosome was established using male and female meioses. The genetic length of the sex chromosome was shorter in male than in female meioses. The region where male recombination is suppressed is the region close to the sex-determining gene y, while female recombination was suppressed in both the telomeric regions. The restriction in recombination does not occur uniformly on the sex chromosome, as the genetic map distances of the markers are not proportional in male and female recombination. Thus, this observation seems to support the hypothesis that the heterogeneous sex chromosomes were derived from suppression of recombination between autosomal chromosomes. In two of the markers, Yc-2 and Casp6, which were expressed sequence-tagged (EST) sites, polymorphisms of both X and Y chromosomes were detected. The alleles of the X and Y chromosomes were also detected in O. curvinotus, a species related to the medaka. These markers could be used for genotyping the sex chromosomes in the medaka and other species, and could be used in other studies on sex chromosomes.     

Identification of a CA repeat at the TCRA locus using yeast artificial chromosomes: a general method for generating highly polymorphic markers at chosen loci.

The creation of a comprehensive genetic map in human has been limited by the lack of highly polymorphic markers spaced evenly throughout the human genome. We have utilized yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC) containing large human DNA inserts to help identify highly polymorphic (CA)n repeats at a chosen locus. The DNA of a YAC containing the locus was subcloned in M13 vectors, and the recombinants were screened at high stringency to detect preferentially long (CA)n repeats (n greater than 20). These repeats, which are the most likely to be highly polymorphic, were then studied to confirm both the level of polymorphism and their precise genetic location. This strategy has permitted the identification of a new, highly polymorphic CA repeat (77% heterozygosity) at the T cell receptor alpha chain (TCRA) locus on chromosome 14q. It provides a powerful marker for assessing the role of this locus in the susceptibility to autoimmune and infectious diseases. This approach should permit the development of highly polymorphic markers at any targeted locus and rapidly improve the current human genetic map.     

Normal phenotype with paternal uniparental isodisomy for chromosome 21.

Uniparental disomy (UPD) involving several different chromosomes has been described in several cases of human pathologies. In order to investigate whether UPD for chromosome 21 is associated with abnormal phenotypes, we analyzed DNA polymorphisms in DNA from a family with de novo Robertsonian translocation t(21q;21q). The proband was a healthy male with 45 dup(21q) who was ascertained through his trisomy 21 offspring. No phenotypic abnormalities were noted in the physical exam, and his past medical history was unremarkable. We obtained genotypes for the proband and his parents' leukocyte DNAs from 17 highly informative short sequence repeat polymorphisms that map in the pericentromeric region and along the entire length of 21q. The order of the markers has been previously determined through the linkage and physical maps of this chromosome. For the nine informative markers there was no maternal allele contribution to the genotype of the proband; in addition, there was always reduction to homozygosity of a paternal allele. These data indicated that there was paternal uniparental isodisomy for chromosome 21 (pUPiD21). We conclude that pUPiD21 is not associated with abnormal phenotypes and that there are probably no imprinted genes on chromosome 21.     

Continuous linkage map of human chromosome 14 short tandem repeat polymorphisms.

Nine moderately to highly informative short tandem repeat polymorphisms were assigned to chromosome 14 using somatic cell hybrids and were mapped using linkage analysis. The nine markers formed a continuous linkage map covering almost the entire long arm from 14q11.2 to q32. The markers filled a large gap within previously reported linkage maps for this chromosome. Best order of the new loci from q11.2 to q32 was D14S50, D14S54, D14S49, D14S47, D14S52, D14S53, D14S55, D14S48, and D14S51. The order shown for all adjacent pairs of loci was very strongly favored with the exception of loci pair D14S55 and D14S48, for which the order was moderately favored. Map lengths for the nine loci were 142 cM in females and 72 cM in males. Female recombination frequencies exceeded male recombination frequencies in the middle and distal portions of the map.     

Mapping of the regulatory subunits RI beta and RII beta of cAMP-dependent protein kinase genes on human chromosome 7.

The genes encoding the regulatory subunits RI beta (locus PRKAR1B) and RII beta (locus PRKAR2B) of human cAMP-dependent protein kinase have been mapped in the basic CEPH (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) family panel of 40 families to chromosome 7p and 7q, respectively, using the enzymes HindIII and BanII recognizing the corresponding restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). Previous data from the CEPH database and our present RFLP data were used to construct a six-point local framework map including PRKAR1B and a seven-point framework map including PRKAR2B. The analysis placed PRKAR1B as the most distal of the hitherto mapped 7p marker loci and resulted in an unequivocal order of pter-PRKAR1B-D7S21-D7S108-D7S17-D7S149- D7S62-cen, with a significantly higher rate of male than female recombination between PRKAR1B and D7S21. The 7q regulatory gene locus, PRKAR2B, could also be placed in an unambigous order with regard to the existing CEPH database 7q marker loci, the resulting order being cen-D7S371-(COL1A2,D7S79)-PRKAR2B-MET-D7S87++ +-TCRB-qter. Furthermore, in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes physically mapped PRKAR2B to band q22 on chromosome 7.     

Characterisation of a short interspersed repeat (Mermaid) that has family members on human chromosome 21 and elsewhere in the human genome

To understand the architecture of the human genome, we need a complete definition of all the repeat sequence families, as these make up the majority of human DNA. We have isolated a small DNA fragment from human chromosome 21 and have used sequence analysis of this fragment to uncover a new low copy repeat element of approximately 300 bp that we term the Mermaid repeat. This repeat is related to, but is different from, the MER 12 repeat and is interspersed in the genome. Mermaid family members that we have studied are between 81%–87% identical to our preliminary consensus sequence. Therefore, we have added a new member to the large collection of human repetitive elements. In addition, we have mapped a Mermaid repeat to a telomeric position on the long arm of human chromosome 21, at 21q22.3     

Evidence for human meiotic recombination interference obtained through construction of a short tandem repeat-polymorphism linkage map of chromosome 19

An improved linkage map for human chromosome 19 containing 35 short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) and one VNTR (D19S20) was constructed. The map included 12 new (GATA)_n tetranucleotide STRPs. Although total lengths of the male (114 cM) and female (128 cM) maps were similar, at both ends of the chromosome male recombination exceeded female recombination, while in the interior portion of the map female recombination was in excess. Cosmid clones containing the STRP sequences were identified and were positioned along the chromosome by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Four rounds of careful checking and removal of genotyping errors allowed biologically relevant conclusions to be made concerning the numbers and distributions of recombination events on chromosome 19. The average numbers of recombinations per chromosome matched closely the lengths of the genetic maps computed by using the program CRIMAP. Significant numbers of chromosomes with zero, one, two, or three recombinations were detected as products of both female and male meioses. On the basis of the total number of observed pairs of recombination events in which only a single informative marker was situated between the two recombinations, a maximal estimate for the rate of meiotic STRP “gene” conversion without recombination was calculated as 3 × 10⁻⁴/meiosis. For distances up to 30 cM between recombinations, many fewer chromosomes which had undergone exactly two recombinations were observed than were expected on the basis of the assumption of independent recombination locations. This strong new evidence for human meiotic interference will help to improve the accuracy of interpretation of clinical DNA test results involving polymorphisms flanking a genetic abnormality.     

Distribution of meiotic recombination along nondisjunction chromosomes 21 in Down syndrome determined using cytogenetics and RFLP haplotyping

Summary Ten families (Down syndrome children and their parents) showing evidence of meiotic recombination between intraparental chromosomes transmitted after nondisjunction were studied. Cytogenetic polymorphisms and a cassette of RFLP markers distributed along chromosome 21 were used to analyze these families to localize the regions of meiotic recombination. Results indicated that only one crossover occurred per meiotic division and that nine of ten nondisjunctions appeared to be of maternal origin. In one family the crossover had taken place in the pericentromeric region, proximal to marker D21S13, which is quite exceptional. A chance of meiotic recombination within region 21q21, flanked by marker D21S72 and the amyloid gene, could be demonstrated in seven of the ten families. Most strikingly, this chance significantly decreased distal to q21, with frequencies of 0.3 and 0.1 in regions q22.2 and q22.3-qter, respectively. It is hypothesized that decreased chiasmata formation in the most distal part of chromosome 21q might promote nondisjunction. Furthermore, data from the ten crossovers made it possible to map provisionally two previously undefined markers, D21S24 and D21S82, to regions q21-qter and q22.1-qter, respectively.     

Comparison of homoeologous group-6 short arm physical maps of wheat and barley reveals a similar distribution of recombinogenic and gene-rich regions

Eighty two new loci, mapped with 51 DNA clones, were added to the earlier deletion maps of the homoeologous group-6 short arms of hexaploid wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. em Thell., 2n = 6 x = 42, AABBDD). There are now 41, 56 and 52 loci mapped on deletion maps of 6AS, 6BS and 6DS, respectively. The linear order of orthologous loci in all three arms appears to be identical. The majority of the loci are located in the distal one-half of the three arms. There seems to be an increased marker/gene density from the centromeric to the telomeric regions in each arm, and the marker density in comparable physical regions is similar on all three maps. Recombination is not uniformly distributed along the chromosome arms; 60% of recombination occurs in the distal one-third of each arm. Recombination increases from the proximal region to the distal end in a nonlinear pattern. The distribution of loci and recombination along each of the three chromosome arms is highly correlated. Comparison of the 6BS deletion map from this study and a 6HS physical map of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L., 2n = 2 x = 14, HH) reveals a remarkably similar distribution of recombinogenic and gene-rich regions between the two chromosome arms, suggesting that the distribution patterns of genes may be conserved in the homoeologous group-6 chromosome short arms of wheat and barley. A consensus map of wheat group-6 short arms containing 46 orthologous loci was constructed. Comparison of the consensus map with published linkage maps of Triticeae group-6 chromosome short arms indicates that the linear order of the loci on the maps has been largely conserved. Evidence from this study does not support the existence of a 2BS-6BS reciprocal terminal translocation.     

Obligate short-arm exchange in de novo Robertsonian translocation formation influences placement of crossovers in chromosome 21 nondisjunction

Robertsonian translocations (ROBs) involving chromosome 21 are found in approximately 5% of patients with Down syndrome (DS). The most common nonhomologous ROB in DS is rob(14q21q). Aberrant recombination is associated with nondisjunction (NDJ) leading to trisomy 21. Haplotype analysis of 23 patients with DS and de novo rob(14q21q) showed that all translocations and all nondisjoined chromosomes 21 were maternally derived. Meiosis II NDJ occurred in 21 of 23 families. For these, a ROB DS chromosome 21 genetic map was constructed and compared to a normal female map and a published trisomy 21 map derived from meiosis II NDJ. The location of exchanges differed significantly from both maps, with a significant shift to a more distal interval in the ROB DS map. The shift may perturb segregation, leading to the meiosis II NDJ in this study, and is further evidence for crossover interference. More importantly, because the event in the short arms that forms the de novo ROB influences the placement of chiasmata in the long arm, it is most likely that the translocation formation occurs through a recombination pathway in meiosis. Additionally, we have demonstrated that events that occur in meiosis I can influence events, such as chromatid segregation in meiosis II, many decades later.     

Sex reversal due to Xp disomy by t(X;Y)(p21;q11).

A 20-month-old infant exhibiting psychomotor retardation, dysmorphisms and ambiguous external genitalia was found to have a 46-chromosome karyotype including a normal X chromosome and a marker Y with most of Yq being replaced by an extra Xp21-->pter segment. The paternal karyotype (G and C bands) was 46,XY. The marker Y composition was verified by means of FISH with a chromosome X painting, an alphoid repeat and a DMD probe. Thus, the final diagnosis was 46,X,der(Y)t(X;Y)(p21;q11)de novo.ish der(Y)(wcpX+,DYZ3+,DMD+). The patient's phenotype is consistent with the spectrum documented in 13 patients with similar Xp duplications in whom sex reversal with female or ambiguous genitalia has occurred in spite of an intact Yp or SRY gene. A review of t(X;Y) identifies five distinct exchanges described two or more times: t(X;Y)(p21;q11), t(X;Y)(p22;p11), t(X;Y)(p22;q11-12), t(X;Y) (q22;q12), and t(X;Y)(q28;q12). These translocations probably result from a recombination secondary to DNA homologies within misaligned sex chromosomes in the paternal germline with the derivatives segregating at anaphase I.