Linkage analysis of two cloned DNA sequences flanking the Duchenne muscular dystrophy locus on the short arm of the human X chromosome.

The inheritance of two restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) on the short arm of the human X chromosome has been studied relative to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This provides a partial genetic map of the short arm of the human X chromosome between Xp110 and Xp223. The data were derived from the segregation between a RFLP located at Xp21-Xp223, the DMD locus, and a RFLP located at Xp110-Xp113. The genetic distance from Xp110 to Xp223 was found to be approximately 40 centimorgans (cM). This provides experimental confirmation that 1cM corresponds to approximately 1,000 kilobase pairs of DNA for this region of the human X chromosome. Our data confirm that the DMD mutation lies between Xp223 and Xp110. The availability of flanking probes surrounding the DMD locus will assist in the ordering of further DNA sequences relative to the mutation.     

A multipoint linkage map of the distal short arm of the human X chromosome.

The distal portion of the short arm of the human X chromosome (Xp) exhibits many unique and interesting features. Distal Xp contains the pseudoautosomal region, a number of disease loci, and several cell-surface markers. Several genes in this area have also been observed to escape X-chromosomal inactivation. The characterization of new polymorphic loci in this region has permitted the construction of a refined multipoint linkage map extending 15 cM from the Xp telomere. This interval is known to contain the loci for the diseases X-linked ichthyosis, chondrodysplasia punctata, and Kallmann syndrome, as well as the cell-surface markers Xg and 12E7. This region also contains the junction between the pseudoautosomal region and strictly X-linked sequences. The locus MIC2 has been demonstrated by linkage analysis to be indistinguishable from the pseudoautosomal junction. The steroid sulfatase locus has been mapped to an interval adjacent to the DXS278 locus and 6 cM from the pseudoautosomal junction. The polymorphic locus (STS) DXS278 was shown to be informative in all families studied, and linkage analysis reveals that the locus represents a low-copy repeat with at least one copy distal to the STS gene. The generation of a multipoint linkage map of distal Xp will be useful in the genetic dissection of many of the unique features of this region.     

Chromosomal localization of murine interleukin-1 alpha and beta genes

DNA analyses of mouse X Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids and of recombinant inbred mouse strains have previously shown that the interleukin-1 alpha and beta genes are tightly linked on murine chromosome 2, approximately 4.7 cM distal to beta-2-microglobulin. In this study, using in situ chromosome hybridization, we show that the two interleukin-1 genes are located in the F region of murine chromosome 2 and discuss this physical map position in relation to conserved genetic linkage groups.     

Analyses of beta-1 syntrophin, syndecan 2 and gem GTPase as candidates for chicken muscular dystrophy.

Despite intensive studies of muscular dystrophy of chicken, the responsible gene has not yet been identified. Our recent studies mapped the genetic locus for abnormal muscle (AM) of chicken with muscular dystrophy to chromosome 2q using the Kobe University (KU) resource family, and revealed the chromosome region where the AM gene is located has conserved synteny to human chromosome 8q11-24.3, where the beta-1 syntrophin (SNTB1), syndecan 2 (SDC2) and Gem GTPase (GEM) genes are located. It is reasonable to assume those genes might be candidates for the AM gene. In this study, we cloned and sequenced the chicken SNTB1, SDC2 and GEM genes, and identified sequence polymorphisms between parents of the resource family. The polymorphisms were genotyped to place these genes on the chicken linkage map. The AM gene of chromosome 2q was mapped 130 cM from the distal end, and closely linked to calbindin 1 (CALB1). SNTB1 and SDC2 genes were mapped 88.5 cM distal and 27.6 cM distal from the AM gene, while the GEM gene was mapped 18.5 cM distal from the AM gene and 9.1 cM proximal from SDC2. Orthologues of SNTB1, SDC2 and GEM were syntenic to human chromosome 8q. SNTB1, SDC2 and GEM did not correspond to the AM gene locus, suggesting it is unlikely they are related to chicken muscular dystrophy. However, this result also suggests that the genes located in the proximal region of the CALB1 gene on human chromosome 8q are possible candidates for this disease.     

Dinucleotide Repeat Loci Contribute Highly Informative Genetic Markers to the Human Chromosome 2 Linkage Map

Microsatellite repeat loci can provide informative markers for genetic linkage. Currently, the human chromosome 2 genetic linkage map has very few highly polymorphic markers. Being such a large chromosome, it will require a large number of informative markers for the dense coverage desired to allow disease genes to be mapped quickly and accurately. Dinucleotide repeat loci from two anonymous chromosome 2 genomic DNA clones were sequenced so that oligonucleotide primers could be designed for amplifying each locus using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five sets of PCR primers were also generated from nucleotide sequences in the GenBank Database of chromosome 2 genes containing dinucleotide repeats. In addition, one PCR primer pair was made that amplifies a restriction fragment length polymorphism on the TNP1 gene (Hoth and Engel, 1991). These markers were placed on the CEPH genetic linkage map by screening the CEPH reference DNA panel with each primer set, combining these data with those of other markers previously placed on the map, and analyzing the combined data set using CRI-MAP and LINKAGE. The microsatellite loci are highly informative markers and the TNP1 locus, as expected, is only moderately informative. A map was constructed with 38 ordered loci (odds 1000:1) spanning 296 cM (male) and 476 cM (female) of chromosome 2 compared with 306 cM (male) and 529 cM (female) for a previous map of 20 markers.     

Construction of a long-range YAC physical map spanning the 10-cM region between the markers D18Mit109 and D18Mit68 on mouse proximal chromosome 18.

Four yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contigs, physically approximately 8 Mb, have been constructed spanning a 10-cM region on mouse proximal chromosome 18 and include the sites of 21 known genes, including those near the twirler (Tw) locus and the recently isolated Niemann-Pick type C1 (npc1) gene, formerly designated as the spm locus. This physical map consists of 49 YAC clones that cover roughly 15% of the chromosome. The physical order of 38 microsatellite sequence-tagged sites (STSs) could be assembled and confirmed based on their presence or absence in individual YACs, from proximal D18Mit109 through distal D18Mit68. These YACs provide an important resource for the further characterization and identification of known and unknown genes. The physical map has been integrated with our previously published genetic linkage map and showed an average genetic to physical distance of cM/Mb > 1.1.     

Closure of a genetic linkage map of human chromosome 7q with centromere and telomere polymorphisms.

We have constructed a 2.4-cM resolution genetic linkage map for chromosome 7q that is bounded by centromere and telomere polymorphisms and contains 66 loci (88 polymorphic systems), 38 of which are uniquely placed with odds for order of at least 1000:1. Ten genes are included in the map and 11 markers have heterozygosities of at least 70%. This map is the first to incorporate several highly informative markers derived from a telomere YAC clone HTY146 (locus D7S427), including HTY146c3 (HET 92%). The telomere locus markers span at least 200 kb of the 7q terminus and no crossovers within the physical confines of the locus were observed in approximately 240 jointly informative meioses. The sex-equal map length is 158 cM and the largest genetic interval between uniquely localized markers in this map is 11 cM. The female and male map lengths are 181 and 133 cM, respectively. The map is based on the CEPH reference pedigrees and includes over 4000 new genotypes, our previously reported data plus 29 allele systems from the published CEPH version 5 database, and was constructed using the program package CRI-MAP. This genetic linkage map can be considered a baseline map for 7q, and will be useful for defining the extent of chromosome deletions previously reported for breast and prostate cancers, for developing additional genetic maps such as index marker and 1-cM maps, and ultimately for developing a fully integrated genetic and physical map for this chromosome.     

A high-resolution radiation hybrid map of the proximal portion of mouse chromosome 5

Radiation hybrid (RH) mapping of the mouse genome provides a useful tool in the integration of existing genetic and physical maps, as well as in the ongoing effort to generate a dense map of expressed sequence tags. To facilitate functional analysis of mouse Chromosome 5, we have constructed a high-resolution RH map spanning 75 cM of the chromosome. During the course of these studies, we have developed RHBase, an RH data management program that provides data storage and an interface to several RH mapping programs and databases. We have typed 95 markers on the T31 RH panel and generated an integrated map, pooling data from several sources. The integrated RH map ranges from the most proximal marker, D5Mit331 (Chromosome Committee offset, 3 cM), to D5Mit326, 74.5 cM distal on our genetic map (Chromosome Committee offset, 80 cM), and consists of 138 markers, including 89 simple sequence length polymorphic markers, 11 sequence-tagged sites generated from BAC end sequence, and 38 gene loci, and represents average coverage of approximately one locus per 0.5 cM with some regions more densely mapped. In addition to the RH mapping of markers and genes previously localized on mouse Chromosome 5, this RH map places the alpha-4 GABA(A) receptor subunit gene (Gabra4) in the central portion of the chromosome, in the vicinity of the cluster of three other GABA(A) receptor subunit genes (Gabrg1-Gabra2-Gabrb1). Our mapping effort has also defined a new cluster of four genes in the semaphorin gene family (Sema3a, Sema3c, Sema3d, and Sema3e) and the Wolfram syndrome gene (Wfs1) in this region of the chromosome.     

Large-scale mapping and chromosome jumping in the q27 region of the human X chromosome

We have used pulsed field gel electrophoresis for further physical mapping studies in the q27 region of the human X chromosome. We show that the DXS 102 locus and the F9 gene are separated by only 300 kb despite a genetic distance of 1.4 cM; this linkage orients our large-scale map and shows that the mcf.2 transforming sequence is telomeric to F9. A BssHII complete-digest jumping library was used to jump toward the DXS 105 locus; a 130-kb jump was achieved and the corresponding "linking clone" was obtained.     

Genetic mapping of aphicarus -- a sex-linked locus controlling a wing polymorphism in the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum)

We have initiated research to determine the genetic basis of a male wing polymorphism in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Previous studies showed that this polymorphism is controlled by a single biallelic locus, which we name aphicarus (api), on the X chromosome. Our objectives were to confirm that api segregates as a polymorphism of a single gene on the X chromosome, and to obtain molecular markers flanking api that can be used as a starting point for high-resolution genetic and physical mapping of the target region, which will ultimately allow the cloning of api. We have established an F2 population segregating for api and have generated X-linked AFLP markers. The segregation pattern of api in the F2 population shows that the male wing polymorphism segregates as a polymorphism of a single gene, or set of closely linked genes on the X chromosome. Using a subset of 78 F2 males, we have constructed a linkage map of the chromosomal region encompassing api using seven AFLP markers. The map spans 74.1 cM and we have mapped api to an interval of 10 cM. In addition, we confirmed X linkage of our AFLP markers and api by using one X-linked marker developed in an earlier study. Our study presents the first mapping of a gene with known function in aphids, and the results indicate that target gene mapping in aphids is feasible.     

Comparison of the physical and recombination maps of the mouse X chromosome

The locations of five random mouse genomic DNA markers and five cloned genes, including the genes for clotting factors VIII and IX (Cf-8 and Cf-9), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Dmd), phosphoglycerate kinase-1 (Pgk-1), and alpha-galactosidase (Ags), on the mouse X chromosome were determined by in situ hybridization. The five random DNA markers provide new genetic loci with useful restriction fragment length polymorphisms between mouse strains and species, including one locus close to the centromeric region of the mouse X chromosome. The physical map and the recombination map of these loci on the X chromosome were compared. There was good agreement in the order of loci. Relative distances between loci were consistent along the X chromosome, with the exception of the telomeric end of the long arm, where the recombination fraction observed between loci closely associated on the physical map was higher than that between similarly spaced markers located in the proximal region of the X chromosome. These results are discussed in comparison to the human X-chromosome map.     

Genetic mapping of DNA segments relative to the locus for the fragile-X syndrome at Xq27.3.

We have tested linkage between the locus for the fragile-X [fra(X)] syndrome at Xq27.3 and five polymorphic restriction sites identified by four DNA probes mapping distal to Xq26.1. A maximum distance of approximately 15 centimorgans (cM) between Xq27.3 and the marker loci mapping to this region was predicted based on the physical chromosome length. Close linkage between the disease and marker loci was excluded for probes DXS19 and DXS37 (theta = .05, Z = -2.94 and Z = -4.17, respectively). These marker loci were estimated to be less than five cM apart but approximately 40 cM proximal to the fragile site, indicating that there is a significantly greater frequency of recombination in this region of the X chromosome than expected from the physical length. Linkage results for the other marker loci and the fra(X) syndrome were inconclusive. However, the pX45d probe locus appears very closely linked to the factor IX locus (Z = 1.94 at theta = 0) and is approximately 20 cM proximal to Xq27.3. A relative map of the polymorphic restriction sites, fra(X) syndrome locus, and factor IX locus was constructed by maximizing lod scores over the Xq26.1----q27.3 region.     

Refined physical and genetic mapping of the NF1 region on chromosome 17.

A total of 15 polymorphic markers were used to construct a genetic map that encompasses the NF1 locus on chromosome 17. The markers were a subset of a large collection of chromosome 17-specific probes and were selected for marker typing in NF1 families after physical localization to the pericentric region of the chromosome. Multilocus data for a total of 17 informative NF1 families and 39 other families were included in genetic analyses. No recombination was observed between NF1 and four markers, one or more of which was informative in 86% of parents. More-refined physical mapping studies demonstrated that all four of the markers are proximal to the chromosome 17 translocation breakpoints from two NF1 patients bearing balanced translocations. The region flanking the disease locus spans a distance of 1 centimorgan (cM) in males and 9 cM in females. Close flanking markers were informative in 76% of meioses. Sex differences in recombination rates in the pericentric region were highly significant statistically.     

A primary genetic map of the pericentromeric region of the human X chromosome

We report a genetic linkage map of the pericentromeric region of the human X chromosome, extending from Xp11 to Xq13. Genetic analysis with five polymorphic markers, including centromeric alpha satellite DNA, spanned a distance of approximately 38 cM. Significant lod scores were obtained with linkage analysis in 26 families from the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain, establishing estimates of genetic distances between these markers and across the centromere. Physical mapping experiments, using a panel of somatic cell hybrids segregating portions of the X chromosome due to translocations or deletions, are in agreement with the multilocus linkage analysis and indicate the order Xp11 . . . DXS7(L1.28)-TIMP- DXZ1(alpha satellite, cen)- DXS159(cpX73)-PGK1 . . . Xq13. The frequency of recombination in the two approximately 20-cM intervals flanking alpha satellite on either chromosome arm was roughly proportional to the estimated physical distance between markers; no evidence for a reduced crossover frequency was found in the intervals adjacent to the centromere. However, significant interfamilial variations in recombination rates were noted in this region. This primary map should be useful both as a foundation for a higher resolution centromere-based linkage map of the X chromosome and in the localization of genes to the pericentromeric region.     

Recombination is suppressed over a large region of the rainbow trout Y chromosome

The previous genetic mapping data have suggested that most of the rainbow trout sex chromosome pair is pseudoautosomal, with very small X-specific and Y-specific regions. We have prepared an updated genetic and cytogenetic map of the male rainbow trout sex linkage group. Selected sex-linked markers spanning the X chromosome of the female genetic map have been mapped cytogenetically in normal males and genetically in crosses between the OSU female clonal line and four different male clonal lines as well as in outcrosses involving outbred OSU and hybrids between the OSU line and the male clonal lines. The cytogenetic maps of the X and Y chromosomes were very similar to the female genetic map for the X chromosome. Five markers on the male maps are genetically very close to the sex determination locus ( SEX ), but more widely spaced on the female genetic map and on the cytogenetic map, indicating a large region of suppressed recombination on the Y chromosome surrounding the SEX locus. The male map is greatly extended at the telomere. A BAC clone containing the SCAR (sequence characterized amplified region) Omy - 163 marker, which maps close to SEX , was subjected to shotgun sequencing. Two carbonyl reductase genes and a gene homologous to the vertebrate skeletal ryanodine receptor were identified. Carbonyl reductase is a key enzyme involved in production of trout ovarian maturation hormone. This brings the number of type I genes mapped to the sex chromosome to six and has allowed us to identify a region on zebrafish chromosome 10 and medaka chromosome 13 which may be homologous to the distal portion of the long arm of the rainbow trout Y chromosome.     

Fine mapping of E(kp)-1, a locus associated with silkworm (Bombyx mori) proleg development

The silkworm homeotic mutant E(kp) has a pair of rudimentary abdominal legs, called prolegs, in its A2 segment. This phenotype is caused by a single dominant mutation at the E(kp)-1 locus, which was previously mapped to chromosome 6. To explore the possible association of Hox genes with proleg development in the silkworm, a map-based cloning strategy was used to isolate the E(kp)-1 locus. Five E(kp)-1-linked simple sequence repeat markers on chromosome 6 were used to generate a low-resolution map with a total genetic distance of 39.5 cM. Four additional cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence markers were developed based on the initial map. The closest marker to E(kp)-1 was at a genetic distance of 2.7 cM. A high-resolution genetic map was constructed using nine BC1 segregating populations consisting of 2396 individuals. Recombination suppression was observed in the vicinity of E(kp)-1. Four molecular markers were tightly linked to E(kp)-1, and three were clustered with it. These markers were used to screen a BAC library. A single bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone spanning the E(kp)-1 locus was identified, and E(kp)-1 was delimited to a region less than 220 kb long that included the Hox gene abdominal-A and a non-coding locus, iab-4. These results provide essential information for the isolation of this locus, which may shed light on the mechanism of proleg development in the silkworm and possibly in Lepidoptera.     

Phytophthora sojae avirulence genes Avr4 and Avr6 are located in a 24kb, recombination-rich region of genomic DNA

A cross between two different races (race 7xrace 25) of the soybean root and stem rot pathogen Phytophthora sojae was analyzed to characterize the genomic region flanking two cosegregating avirulence genes, Avr4 and Avr6. Both genes cosegregated in the ratio of 82:17 (avirulent:virulent) in an F(2) population, suggestive of a single locus controlling both phenotypes. A chromosome walk was commenced from RAPD marker OPE7.1C, 2.0cM distant from the Avr4/6 locus. Three overlapping cosmids were isolated which included genetic markers that flank the Avr4/6 locus. The chromosome walk spanned a physical distance of 67kb which represented a genetic map distance of 22.3cM, an average recombination frequency of 3.0kb/cM and 11.7-fold greater than the predicted average recombination frequency of 35.3kb/cM for the entire P. sojae genome. Six genes (cDNA clones) expressed from the Avr4/6 genomic region encompassed by the cosmid contig were identified. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and restriction fragment length polymorphisms showed these six genes were closely linked to the Avr4/6 locus. Physical mapping of the cDNA clones within the cosmid contig made it possible to deduce the precise linkage order of the cDNAs. None of the six cDNA clones appear to be candidates for Avr4/6. We conclude that two of these cDNA clones flank a physical region of approximately 24kb and 4.3cM that appears to include the Avr4/6 locus.     

RFLP mapping of the genes controlling hybrid breakdown in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

 Complementary recessive genes hwd1 and hwd2 controlling hybrid breakdown (weakness of F₂ and later generations) were mapped in rice using RFLP markers. These genes produce a plant that is shorter and has fewer tillers than normal plants when the two loci have only one or no dominant allele at both loci. A cultivar with two dominant alleles at the hwd1 locus and a cultivar with two dominant alleles at the hwd2 locus were crossed with a double recessive tester line. Linkage analysis was carried out for each gene independently in two F₂ populations derived from these crosses. hwd1 was mapped on the distal region of rice genetic linkage map for chromosome 10, flanked by RFLP markers C701 and R2309 at a distance of 0.9 centiMorgans (cM) and 0.6 cM, respectively. hwd2 was mapped in the central region of rice genetic linkage map for chromosome 7, tightly linked with 4 RFLP markers without detectable recombination. The usefulness of RFLP mapping and map information for the genes controlling reproductive barriers are discussed in the context of breeding using diverse rice germplasm, especially gene introduction by marker-aided selection.     

Identification and sequencing the juvenile spermatogonial depletion critical interval on mouse chromosome 1 reveals the presence of eight candidate genes.

In mice, the recessive, non-pleiotropic, juvenile spermatogonial depletion (jsd) mutation results in a single wave of spermatogenesis, followed by failure of type A spermatogonial stem cells to differentiate, rendering adult males sterile. As part of an effort to identify the gene underlying this mutation, we report here the construction of a high-resolution genetic map involving more than 1000 meioses and 24 polymorphic loci. Our data define a critical jsd interval of approximately 0.4 cM at 49 cM on mouse chromosome 1, between D1Mit215 and 257SP6. We have constructed a physical map spanning the region comprising 24 overlapping BACs. Eighteen of these BACs have been fully sequenced, or are in draft form, allowing us to annotate approximately 2.5 Mb of DNA surrounding the jsd locus. The critical 0.4 cM jsd interval corresponds to a physical distance of approximately 1.5 Mb. Eight genes have been identified in this interval, two of which appear to be possible candidates for the jsd mutation.