Generation and characterization of radiation reduced cell hybrids and isolation of probes from the proximal short arm of the human X chromosome

Employing a modified Goss-Harris irradiation fusion protocol, we have generated a panel of somatic cell hybrids containing various overlapping fragments of the Xcen-Xp11.4 interval. This region of the human X chromosome is known to carry genes for several hereditary eye diseases including retinitis pigmentosa (RP2), congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB-1) and Norrie disease. These hybrid cell lines were employed to isolate 17 new DNA probes by making use of the Alu polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and subsequent cloning of the PCR products in a plasmid vector. With these probes, we have characterized two previously described microdeletions spanning the Norrie locus; these deletions have enabled us to subdivide the Xp11.4-p11.3 region into three defined intervals.     

Characterization of radiation/fusion hybrids containing parts of human chromosome 10 and their use in mapping chromosome 10-specific probes.

We have characterized a panel of somatic cell hybrid cell lines which contain different portions of human chromosome 10. Genomic DNA from the somatic cell hybrids was tested for hybridization with each of an ordered set of probes used previously to construct a genetic map of chromosome 10, as well as several additional probes, previously localized by in situ hybridization. Hybridization of an unmapped probe to the cell line DNAs can be used to determine its most likely position on the chromosome relative to the mapped set of probes. Genomic DNA from two of the cell lines has been used to construct region-specific cosmid and bacteriophage libraries, and clones derived from these libraries were localized by hybridization to the panel of hybrid cell lines. Several of these probes reveal restriction fragment length polymorphisms which have been genetically mapped. Three of the probes map near the locus for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, and one of these probes, BG-JC353 (D10S167), maps between RBP3 and TB14.34 (D10S34). Another probe, CRI-J282 (D10S104), is close to the FNRB locus. The panel of hybrid cell lines is thus useful for rapidly localizing unmapped probes and as a source of DNA for the construction of recombinant libraries derived from specific regions of the chromosome.     

Development and utilization of a somatic cell hybrid mapping panel to assign NotI linking probes to the long arm of human chromosome 6.

A somatic cell hybrid mapping panel that defines seven regions of the long arm and one region of the short arm of human chromosome 6 has been developed. Utilizing this panel, 17 NotI boundary clones from a NotI linking library were regionally assigned to the long arm of chromosome 6. The majority of these clones (11) were found to localize within band regions 6q24-q27. The nonuniform distribution of NotI sites may indicate a cluster of HTF islands and likely represents a coincidence of coding sequences in this region of chromosome 6. Cross-hybridization of these linking clones to DNA from other species (zoo blots) provides further evidence for transcribed sequences in 7 of the NotI clones. These NotI clones were also used to identify corresponding NotI fragments using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, facilitating further physical mapping of this region. Finally, regional assignment of five polymorphic probes to the long arm of chromosome 6 is also presented. These hybrids and probes should facilitate the construction of a physical and genetic linkage map to assist in the identification of disease loci along chromosome 6.     

Development of a somatic cell hybrid mapping panel and molecular probes for human chromosome 3

A somatic cell hybrid mapping panel and molecular probes have been developed for human chromosome 3. This panel defines 11 regions for the short and long arms of the chromosome. Four hundred thirty-two probes have been mapped using these hybrids. One hundred thirty-one of these probes were derived from EcoRI and HindIII flow-sorted libraries. The remaining 301 probes were isolated from NotI boundary and random (partial MboI) libraries constructed from a hybrid that provided a relative enrichment in 3p DNA sequences. For some regions of the chromosome, significant differences in the distribution of probes were noted. This was observed for both the unique sequence flow-sorted and NotI probes. These differences are in agreement with previous suggestions that Giemsa light bands are GC-rich, and therefore gene-rich (especially housekeeping genes), and that the Giemsa dark bands may contain DNA that is more highly condensed. The isolation of probes from different types of libraries, or by different screening strategies, appears to reduce deficiencies that might arise from the use of probes derived with a more limited approach. These hybrids and probes should facilitate the construction of physical and genetic linkage maps to identify various disease loci involving chromosome 3.     

An informative panel of somatic cell hybrids for physical mapping on human chromosome 19q.

A panel of 22 somatic cell hybrids divides the q arm of human chromosome 19 into 22 ordered subregions. The panel was characterized with respect to 41 genetic markers. In most cases, a single fragment of chromosome 19 was present in each hybrid. In two cell lines the presence of multiple fragments of the chromosome was demonstrated by segregation of these fragments in subclones. On the basis of the results of marker analysis in this panel, the most likely order of the markers tested is MANB-D19S7-PEPD-D19S9-GPI-C/EBP-TGFB1++ +-(CYP2A,BCKDHA,CGM2,NCA)-PSG1-(D19S8, XRCC1)-(ATP1A3,D19S19)-(D19S37,APOC2)-C KM-ERCC2-ERCC1-(D19S116,D19S117)- (D19S118,D19S119, D19S63,p36.1,D19S112,D19S62,D19S51,D19S54, D19S55)-pW39-D19S6-(D19S50,TNNT1)-D19S2 2-(HRC,CGB,FTL,PRKCG)-qter. This gene order is generally consistent with published physical and genetic mapping orders, although some discrepancies exist. By means of a mapping function that relates the frequency of cosegregation of markers to the distance between them, estimates were made of the sizes, in megabases, of the 19q subregions. The relative physical distances between reference markers were compared with published genetic distances for 19q. Excellent correlation was observed, suggesting that the physical distances calculated by this method are predictive of genetic distances in this region of the genome and, therefore, are just as useful in estimating relative positions of markers.     

Fine mapping of the distal short arm of the human X chromosome using X/Y translocations.

The loci for steroid sulfatase (STS), the deficiency of which causes X-linked ichthyosis, the cell surface antigen 12E7 (MIC2X), and the blood group antigen Xg (Xg) have been mapped to Xp22.3. These loci are of particular interest since they do not appear to undergo X-chromosome inactivation. In an attempt to establish the relative order of STS and MIC2X, fibroblasts from carriers of four different X/Y translocations and an X/10 translocation were obtained and fused with mouse cell lines deficient in hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase. The breakpoints on the X chromosome in these five translocations are in Xp22. Several independent clones from each fusion were isolated in HAT medium. The clones were examined cytogenetically, and in each case at least two independent clones were identified that have an active X/Y or X/10 translocation chromosome in the absence of other X or Y material. These clones were then tested for STS and 12E7 expression. In two of the X/Y translocations, the markers, STS and 12E7, were both absent. In the X/10 and a third X/Y translocation, both markers were retained. In each of three clones containing the fourth X/Y translocation, STS activity was retained but 12E7 antigenicity was lost. Assuming that this is a simple translocation and does not represent a more complex rearrangement, these results suggest that MIC2X is distal to STS.     

A somatic cell hybrid panel and DNA probes for physical mapping of human chromosome 7p.

To identify by reverse genetics genes on the short arm of human chromosome 7 expected to be involved in the regulation of human craniofacial and limb development, we have set up a human mouse somatic cell hybrid panel that divides 7p into 9 fragments. The breakpoints are defined by deletions or translocations involving one chromosome 7 in the cells of the human cell fusion partners. Particularly densely covered with these cytogenetic anchor points is the proximal area of 7p within and around 7p13. The number of cytogenetic mapping points within proximal 7p could be increased by four, using two diploid human cell lines with small interstitial deletions in this region for dosage studies. We used Southern blots of this panel to assign to 7q or subregions of 7p more than 300 arbitrary DNA probes or genes that provide reference points for physical mapping of 7p. Three reciprocal translocations with one of the breakpoints in 7p13 mark the location of a gene involved in Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome. To define an area in which we could identify candidates for this developmental gene, we established a macrorestriction map using probes flanking the putative gene region. The Greig translocations were found to be located within a 630-kb NotI restriction fragment.     

Assignment of PGM3 to the long arm of human chromosome 6. Studies using Chinese hamster X human cell hybrids containing a human 6/15 translocation

Hybrids derived from the fusion of thymidine kinase deficient Chinese hamster cells and human cells carrying a 6/15 translocation, 46,XX,t(6;15)(cen;p13), were analyzed for the expression of human PGM3, GLO and ME1. The results show that PGM3 and ME1 are on the long arm and GLO is on the short arm of human chromosomes 6.     

Mapping the human amylase gene cluster on the proximal short arm of chromosome 1 using a highly informative (CA)n repeat.

The human amylase gene cluster includes a (CA)n repeat sequence immediately upstream of the gamma-actin pseudogene associated with the AMY2B gene. Analysis of this (CA)n repeat by PCR amplification of genomic DNA from the 40 families of the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) reference panel revealed extensive polymorphism. A total of six alleles with (CA)n lengths of 16-21 repeats were found. The average heterozygosity for this polymorphism was 0.70. Multipoint linkage analysis showed that the amylase gene cluster is located distal to the nerve growth factor beta-subunit gene (NGFB) and is within 1 cM of the anonymous locus D1S10. The amylase (CA)n repeat provides a convenient marker for both the physical and the genetic maps of human chromosome 1p.     

Regional mapping on human genes for phosphoglucomutase-1 on chromosome 1 and beta-glucuronidase on chromosome 7 using mouse x human hybrids.

Two independent mouse-human somatic cell hybrid clones contained different, de novo chromosome rearrangements involving the short arm of human chromosome 1. One hybrid clone contained a translocation between human chromosomes 1 and 7; the other clone contained a rearrangement product between human chromosomes 1 and 14. Analysis of these clones for expression of genes previously assigned to chromosome 7 and to the short arm of chromosome 1 provided evidence for localization of PGM--1 in segment 1p22.1 leads to 1p31.1, AK--2, ENO--1 and UMPK in region 1pter leads to 1p31.1, and GUS in region 7 pter leads to 7q22. The results have been used to examine the relationship between cytologic and genetic map distances on the short arm of chromosome 1.     

Localization of 616 human chromosome 3-specific cosmids using a somatic cell hybrid deletion mapping panel.

A total of 5700 human chromosome 3-specific cosmid clones was isolated from a series of cosmid libraries constructed from somatic cell hybrids whose only human component was an entire chromosome 3 or a chromosome 3 containing an interstitial deletion removing 50% of long arm sequences. Several unique sequence chromosome 3-specific hybridization probes were isolated from each of 616 of these cosmids. These probes were then used to localize the cosmids by hybridization to a somatic cell hybrid deletion mapping panel capable of resolving chromosome 3 into nine distinct subregions. All 616 of the cosmids were localized to either the long or short arm of chromosome 3 and 63% of the short arm cosmids were more precisely localized. We have identified a total of 87 cosmids that contain fragments that are evolutionarily conserved. Fragments from these cosmids should prove useful in the identification of new chromosome 3-specific genes as well as in comparative mapping studies. The localized cosmids should provide excellent saturation of human chromosome 3 and facilitate the construction of physical and genetic linkage maps to identify various disease loci including Von Hippel Lindau disease and renal and small cell lung carcinoma.     

A highly polymorphic dinucleotide repeat on the proximal short arm of the human X chromosome: linkage mapping of the synapsin I/A-raf-1 genes.

A compound (AC)n repeat located 1,000 bp downstream from the human synapsin I gene and within the last intron of the A-raf-1 gene has been identified. DNA data-base comparisons of the sequences surrounding the repeat indicate that the synapsin I gene and the A-raf-1 gene lie immediately adjacent to each other, in opposite orientation. PCR amplification of this synapsin I/A-raf-1 associated repeat by using total genomic DNA from members of the 40 reference pedigree families of the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humaine showed it to be highly polymorphic, with a PIC value of .84 and a minimum of eight alleles. Because the synapsin I gene has been mapped previously to the short arm of the human X chromosome at Xp11.2, linkage analysis was performed with markers on the proximal short arm of the X chromosome. The most likely gene order is DXS7SYN/ARAF1TIMPDXS255DXS146, with a relative probability of 5 x 10(8) as compared with the next most likely order. This highly informative repeat should serve as a valuable marker for disease loci mapped to the Xp11 region.     

Linkage mapping of D21S171 to the distal long arm of human chromosome 21 using a polymorphic (AC)n dinucleotide repeat

Summary An (AC)_n repeat within the anonymous DNA sequence D21S171 was shown to be highly polymorphic in members of the 40 Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) families. Ten different alleles at this marker locus were detected by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels of DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers flanking the (AC)_n repeat. The observed heterozygosity was 66%. PCR amplification of DNA from somatic cell hybrids mapped D21S171 to human chromosome 21, and linkage analysis localized this marker close to the loci CD18, PFKL, D21S113 and D21S112 in chromosomal band 21q22.3. In CEPH family 12 a de novo allele has been observed in a maternally derived chromosome.     

Characterization of a set of X-linked sequences and of a panel of somatic cell hybrids useful for the regional mapping of the human X chromosome

Summary We have characterized 19 DNA fragments originating from the human X chromosome. Most of them have been isolated from an X chromosome genomic library (Davies et al. 1981) using a systematic screening procedure. These DNA probes have been used to search for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). The frequency of restriction polymorphisms (1 per 350 bp analysed) was lower than expected from data obtained with autosomal fragments. The various probes have been mapped within 12 subchromosomal regions using a panel of human-rodent hybrid cell lines. The validity of the panel was established by hybridization experiments performed with 27 X-specific DNA probes, which yielded information on the relative position of translocation break-points on the X chromosome. The DNAs from the various hybrid lines are blotted onto a reusable support which allows one to quickly map any new X-specific DNA fragment. The probes already isolated should be of use to map unbalanced X chromosome aberrations or to characterize new somatic cell hybrid lines. The probes which detect RFLPs define new genetic markers which will help to construct a detailed linkage map of the human X chromosome, and might also serve for the diagnosis of carriers or prenatal diagnosis.     

High-resolution chromosome mapping of BACs using multi-colour FISH and pooled-BAC FISH as a backbone for sequencing tomato chromosome 6

Within the framework of the International Solanaceae Genome Project, the genome of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is currently being sequenced. We follow a 'BAC-by-BAC' approach that aims to deliver high-quality sequences of the euchromatin part of the tomato genome. BACs are selected from various libraries of the tomato genome on the basis of markers from the F2.2000 linkage map. Prior to sequencing, we validated the precise physical location of the selected BACs on the chromosomes by five-colour high-resolution fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping. This paper describes the strategies and results of cytogenetic mapping for chromosome 6 using 75 seed BACs for FISH on pachytene complements. The cytogenetic map obtained showed discrepancies between the actual chromosomal positions of these BACs and their markers on the linkage group. These discrepancies were most notable in the pericentromere heterochromatin, thus confirming previously described suppression of cross-over recombination in that region. In a so called pooled-BAC FISH, we hybridized all seed BACs simultaneously and found a few large gaps in the euchromatin parts of the long arm that are still devoid of seed BACs and are too large for coverage by expanding BAC contigs. Combining FISH with pooled BACs and newly recruited seed BACs will thus aid in efficient targeting of novel seed BACs into these areas. Finally, we established the occurrence of repetitive DNA in heterochromatin/euchromatin borders by combining BAC FISH with hybridization of a labelled repetitive DNA fraction (Cot-100). This strategy provides an excellent means to establish the borders between euchromatin and heterochromatin in this chromosome.     

Genetic mapping of the beta 1 GABA receptor gene to human chromosome 4, using a tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism.

As more coding loci for functional human genes are described, there is a growing need to identify DNA polymorphisms in specific genes. By examining DNA sequences within the introns of the beta 1 subunit of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor gene, GABARB1, we found a tetranucleotide repeat sequence (GATA). Amplification of this region by using PCR revealed seven alleles and a high degree of polymorphism (PIC = .75) in human populations. DNAs from the CEPH families were typed for the GABARB1 intron polymorphism and were analyzed with respect to 20 linked markers on chromosome 4. The results permit placement of GABARB1 on the linkage map of chromosome 4, between D4S104 and ALB. These results affirm that sequence analysis of noncoding segments included within or adjacent to functional genes has value as a strategy to detect highly informative polymorphisms.     

A system of rapid isolation of end-DNA from a small amount of fosmid DNA, with vector-based PCR for chromosome walking.

The pBAC 108L and pFos 1 vectors were developed as stable propagation vectors which, due to their extremely low copy number, facilitate the cloning of a large-sized insert containing repeated DNA. However, the low copy number requires laborious end-DNA preparation for end sequencing and chromosome walking. Here we describe efficient methods for end-DNA isolation. The entire process, including small-scale DNA preparation, restriction digestion, self-ligation, and PCR with vector-based primers, is carried out in 96-well formats. Using a Fosmid library of genomic DNA of Candida albicans, PCR products ranging in size from 0.1 to 8 kbp were generated from 118 end sequences in 140 reactions from 70 Fosmid clones. A single or a prominent band was found in 101 of these reactions. Twenty-six of these bands were tested for walking and all of them proved to be specific. Thus, the system overcomes the disadvantage caused by low copy number. This system allows rapid physical mapping of genomes, and is adaptable for several other vectors including BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome), PAC (P1-derived artificial chromosome), and YAC (yeast artificial chromosome).     

Efficient isolation of X chromosome-specific single-copy probes from a cosmid library of a human X/hamster hybrid-cell line: mapping of new probes close to the locus for X-linked mental retardation.

We isolated X-chromosomal DNA probes from a cosmid library constructed from a single human X/hamster hybrid-cell line (C12D). One hundred human clones were isolated and used to construct a pool of X-chromosomal DNA. This DNA was digested into 0.15-2-kb fragments and subcloned into plasmids allowing the rapid characterization of new single-copy probes. These were regionally mapped and used for the detection of restriction-site polymorphisms. Together with a series of subcloned probes from individually isolated cosmids, we found seven polymorphic probes among 53 tested. Thirty-one of the probes were physically localized to different regions of the X chromosome. Four polymorphic probes map to Xq27-Xq28: DXS102 (cX38.1), DXS105(cX55.7), DXS107(cpX234), and DXS134(cpX67). These were genetically mapped by multipoint analysis relative to previously characterized loci, a mapping that resulted in the following order: DXYS1, DXS107, DXS51/DXS102, F9, DXS105, Fra-X, F8/DXS52, DXS15, DXS134. The mapping of DXS105 between F9 and Fra-X makes this probe useful for Fra-X analysis. For the linkage between FraX and DXS105, a maximum lod score of 5.01 at 4 cMorgans has been obtained in one large Dutch pedigree.