Isolation of polymorphic DNA segments from human chromosome 21.

A somatic cell hybrid line containing only human chromosome 21 on a mouse background has been used as the source of DNA for construction of a recombinant phage library. Individual phages containing human inserts have been identified. Repeat-free human DNA subclones have been prepared and used to screen for restriction fragment length polymorphisms to provide genetic markers on chromosome 21. Nine independently isolated clones used as probes identified a total of 11 new RFLPs. Four of the DNA probes recovered from the library have been mapped unequivocally to chromosome 21 using a panel of somatic cell hybrid lines. A fifth probe detected an RFLP on chromosome 21 as well as sequences on other chromosomes. This set of RFLPs may now form the basis for construction of a genetic linkage map of human chromosome 21.     

Isolation of polymorphic DNA fragments from human chromosome 4.

We have identified and characterized 40 DNA probes detecting restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) on human chromosome 4. Single copy human clones were isolated from a bacteriophage library enriched for chromosome 4 sequences. Each clone was hybridized to somatic cell hybrid DNAs for verification of its species and chromosomal origin and for regional localization. Sequences specific for chromosome 4 were tested for their ability to detect RFLPs in human DNA and their potential utility as genetic markers was assessed. Approximately 263,000 base pairs or 0.13% of the chromosome was screened for sequence variation. The estimate of heterozygosity calculated from this large body of data, H = 0.0021, indicates that the degree of sequence variation on chromosome 4 is comparable to other autosomes. The characterization of these 40 markers has tripled the number of polymorphic loci available for linkage studies on chromosome 4, making it feasible to begin construction of a detailed linkage map that will span the entire chromosome.     

Isolation and regional localization of 25 anonymous DNA probes on a chromosome 13 hybrid panel

Clones were isolated from two flow-sorted chromosome 13 libraries. Twenty-five clones were localized to various regions of chromosome 13, using a well-characterized panel of rodent x human hybrid cell lines. Eight DNA markers were localized to 13q14.2----q22, where the gene for Wilson disease, a recessive disorder of copper metabolism, was previously assigned. The new markers will be useful for the diagnosis of presymptomatic sibs of Wilson disease patients. We isolated six DNA clones proximal to the retinoblastoma gene, a region in which a translocation associated with rhabdomyosarcoma has been observed. Probes for both of these regions will be useful for the cloning of the genes involved in these diseases.     

Isolation and regional localization of 35 unique anonymous DNA markers for human chromosome 22

Thirty-five new, unique, DNA probes have been isolated and each has been assigned to one of five regions on chromosome 22. The distribution of probes along the chromosome is what would be expected based on the estimated size of each region with the exception of the short arm (22p). RFLP analysis was performed using 13 different restriction enzymes and over 50% of the probes were found to have useful polymorphisms. Probes mapping to 22q11 were further characterized by pulsed-field gel analysis and it has been possible to link several on large restriction fragments. These 35 new probes will be useful reagents for producing genetic and physical maps of chromosome 22.     

Isolation, localization, and physical mapping of a highly polymorphic locus on human chromosome 11q13.

A highly polymorphic repetitive sequence, D11S533, was isolated by oligonucleotide hybridization from an arrayed chromosome 11q-specific cosmid library. The DNA sequence of this element was determined and found to consist of a repetitive degenerate hexanucleotide sequence [T(Pu)T(Pu)T(Pu)]n extending over 438 bp. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that this element is relatively unique in the human genome. This sequence can be detected by amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with oligonucleotide primers complementary to unique sequences flanking the repetitive element. This sequence displays a high degree of polymorphism, and analysis of 15 individuals demonstrated at least 10 alleles ranging in size from 300 to 900 bp. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to localize this sequence to 11q13 (FLpter 0.60 +/- 0.02). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and the isolation of yeast artificial chromosomes established the long-range physical map surrounding the locus. Because various alleles of this polymorphic sequence can be easily detected by PCR amplification, this probe has potential usefulness in genetic linkage mapping as well as identity testing.     

Mapping of seven polymorphic loci on human chromosome 13 by in situ hybridization

Summary Human chromosome 13 loci homologous to seven recombinant DNA probes were mapped using in situ hybridization of ³H-radiolabeled probes to metaphase chromosomes. Each of these seven probes reveals at least one restriction fragment length polymorphism, and thus each probe is potentially valuable in a genetic linkage map of this autosome. The data presented in this paper map the seven loci to specific regions of chromosome 13. This mapping should allow a future comparison of genetic distance with physical distance on this chromosome, and may permit better utilization of these probes in the clinical diagnosis of human chromosomal rearrangements involving chromosome 13.     

Isolation of anonymous,polymorphic DNA fragments from human chromosome 22q12-qter

Summary A series of 195 random chromosome 22-specific probes, equivalent to approximately 1% of the size of this chromosome, have been isolated from a chromosome 22-specific bacteriophage lambda genomic library. These probes were mapped to four different regions of chromosome 22 on a panel of five somatic cell hybrids. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms were detected by 28 of the probes mapping to 22q12-qter. Evolutionarily conserved sequences in human, mouse, and Chinese hamster DNA were detected by 12% of the isolated probes.     

Isolation and regional mapping of DNA sequences unique to human chromosome 21.

To isolate DNA sequences unique to chromosome 21 we have used a recombinant-DNA library, constructed from a mouse-human somatic-cell hybrid line containing chromosome 21 as the only human chromosome. Individual recombinant phage containing human DNA inserts were identified by their hybridization to total human DNA sequences and by their failure to hybridize to total mouse DNA sequences. A repeat-free human DNA fragment was then subcloned from each of 14 such recombinant phage. An independent somatic-cell hybrid was used to assign all 14 subcloned fragments to chromosome 21. Thirteen of the fragments have been regionally mapped using a somatic-cell hybrid containing a human 21 translocation chromosome. Two probes map proximal to the 21q21.2 translocation breakpoint, and 11 probes map distal to this breakpoint, placing them in the region 21q21.2-21q22. One of seven probes used to screen for restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms recognized polymorphic DNA fragments when hybridized to genomic DNA from unrelated individuals. These 14 unique probes provide useful tools for studying the structure and function of human chromosome 21 as well as for investigating the molecular biology of Down syndrome.     

Isolation and regional localisation of DNA sequences from a human chromosome 11-specific cosmid library

Summary A cosmid library has been prepared in the lorist-B vector from a mouse/human somatic cell hybrid containing region 11q23-11pter as the only human component. This chromosome region is stably maintained in the hybrid as a result of translocation onto one copy of mouse chromosome 13. Individual cosmids containing human DNA were isolated by their ability to hybridise with total human DNA, digested with either HindIII or EcoRI, and 33 individual unique sequences were identified. These fragments were then isolated and subcloned into the bluescribe plasmid vector. Regional localisation of these unique sequences was achieved using a panel of somatic cell hybrids containing different overlapping deletions of chromosome 11. The majority of the 33 mapped sequences derived from the long arm of chromosome 11. Two clones were located within the 11p13–p14 region, which is associated with a predisposition to Wilms' tumour. These probes supplement those already mapped to this chromosome and will assist in the generation of a detailed chromosome 11 linkage map.     

Isolation of repetitive DNA sequences from human chromosome 21.

We have developed a method for the isolation of phage from the human genomic library that carry repetitive DNA sequences highly represented on specific human chromosomes. We have used this technique to select recombinants carrying inserts concentrated on chromosome 21. Five clones, representing two families of sequences, have been characterized. Members of each family show cross-homology, but the two families show no homology with each other. In all but one case, the clones do not contain members of the human Alu repeat family. Single chromosome-concentrated repetitive sequences should prove to be useful in studies of the origin, evolution, and function of repetitive DNA and in regional chromosome mapping.     

Characterization of polymorphic loci on a telomeric fragment of DNA from the long arm of human chromosome 7

The 240-kb yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) HTY146 (D7S427) containing the telomere from the q arm of human chromosome 7 was subcloned into the cosmid vector sCOS-1. Cosmid subclones were screened for DNA polymorphisms by Southern blot analysis of restriction digests of DNA from random individuals. Four distinct polymorphisms were characterized. These markers provide a resource for defining the end of the genetic map for the long arm of human chromosome 7.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Octodon degus

Quantifying genetic kinship and parentage is critical to understanding the adaptive consequences of sociality. To measure fitness in a species with variable group structure, we isolated 14 microsatellite loci from Octodon degus, a semi-fossorial rodent endemic to Chile. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 14. Thirteen loci were in Hardy-Weinberg proportions, with values of observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.550 to 0.950. These markers provide the basis for future studies of the direct fitness consequences of sociality in O. degus.     

A PCR product derived from female DNA with regional localization on the Y chromosome.

A 154-bp PCR product amplified from human female DNA mapped onto the Y chromosome under high-stringency in situ hybridization conditions. The female DNA sequence revealed an 89% homology with the HSDYZ1 sequence. When the same primers were used to amplify male DNA, a 154-bp DNA fragment was also obtained, showing a 98% homology with HSDYZ1. However, although the HSDYZ1 sequence is widely distributed along the long arm of the Y chromosome, both of these particular PCR products are di-regionally localized within this distal block of constitutive heterochromatin. In situ hybridization under lower stringency showed that these 154-bp sequences map both onto the autosomes and the Y chromosome. Overall, this paper shows (i) a new class of DNA sequences shared by the autosomes and the Y chromosome; and (ii) a substructured organization of some DNA repeats within the DYZ1 family that forms a large part of the constitutive heterochromatin of the Y chromosome.