Assignment of a processed mouse Aprt pseudogene to the same chromosome as the functional gene

A novel genetic system has been used to demonstrate that a processed adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (Aprt) pseudogene is located on mouse chromosome 8, which is the same chromosome that carries the functional Aprt gene. A restriction fragment length polymorphism associated with the pseudogene was found to segregate concordantly with chromosome 8 in APRT- mutants of a near-diploid cell line that had lost one copy of the chromosome.     

Chromosomal localization of a cytochrome b5 gene to human chromosome 18 and a cytochrome b5 pseudogene to the X chromosome.

We have isolated cDNA clones that code for human cytochrome b5. Owing to the high degree of evolutionary conservation of cytochrome b5 sequences and the existence of human and rodent cytochrome b5 processed pseudogenes, we were unable to map unambiguously the chromosomal localization of the human gene(s) by Southern blot hybridization of DNA from human-rodent somatic cell hybrids. An alternative approach, based on restriction enzyme digestion of PCR-amplified DNA, enabled us to map the human cytochrome b5 gene(s) to chromosome 18 and one of its processed pseudogenes to the X chromosome. We propose the designations CYB5 and CYB5P1 for the gene and pseudogene loci, respectively.     

Assignment of the fucosidase pseudogene FUCA1P to chromosome region 2q31----q32

FUCA1P is a pseudogene of the structural fucosidase gene FUCA1. The former has been mapped to human chromosome 2, whereas the latter has been localized to chromosome 1p34----p36. We have further localized FUCA1P to chromosomal band 2q31----q32 by fluorescent in situ hybridization and digital imaging microscopy. This localization was confirmed by linkage analysis between FUCA1P and the COL3A1 gene in 2q24----q32 which gave maximal lod scores of 4.03 at 3% recombination.     

Localization of the human coproporphyrinogen oxidase gene to chromosome band 3q12

The human gene encoding coproporphyrinogen oxidase is the defective gene in hereditary coproporphyria. This gene was mapped to chromosome band 3q12 using fluorescent in situ hybridization. The chromosomal localization was confirmed by cosegregation of the human gene with chromosome 3 in a panel of human/rodent somatic hybrids.     

A functional mouse ornithine decarboxylase gene (Odc) maps to chromosome 12: further evidence of homoeology between mouse chromosome 12 and the short arm of human chromosome 2

We have used a DNA probe specific for a functional mouse ornithine decarboxylase gene (Odc) in conjunction with a panel of Chinese hamster x mouse somatic cell hybrids to assign Odc to mouse chromosome 12. This assignment provides further evidence of genetic homoeology between a region of mouse chromosome 12 and the distal short arm of human chromosome 2.     

Assignment of the mouse desmin gene to chromosome 1 band C3

The chromosomal localization of the mouse gene coding for desmin, one of the muscle-specific intermediate filament subunits, was determined by in situ hybridization using a specific 3H-labelled DNA probe. There is only one copy of the desmin gene and it is located on chromosome 1 in the band C3. This result adds an eleventh locus to a conserved gene cluster and confirms the partial homology that exists between the long arm of human chromosome 2 and chromosome 1 of the mouse.     

Assignment of a human autoimmune antigen,p80-coilin gene to chromosome 17q21-q23 and of its possible pseudogene to chromosome 14

In order to determine the chromosomal locations of an autoimmune antigen, the coilin gene and its pseudogene, we amplified the segments of the two genes by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and screened a panel of somatic cell hybrids for the presence of the gene products. The results indicate that the human coilin gene and its pseudogene can be assigned to chromosome 17 and chromosome 14, respectively. Further analysis of cell hybrids bearing chromosome 17 with various deletions localized the coilin gene to the region q21–q23.     

Localization of the photoreceptor gene ROM1 to human chromosome 11 and mouse chromosome 19: sublocalization to human 11q13 between PGA and PYGM.

Rom-1 is a retinal integral membrane protein that, together with the product of the human retinal degeneration slow gene (RDS), defines a photoreceptor-specific protein family. The gene for rom-1 (HGM symbol: ROM1) has been assigned to human chromosome 11 and mouse chromosome 19 by Southern blot analysis of somatic cell hybrid DNAs. ROM1 was regionally sublocalized to human 11p13-11q13 by using three mouse-human somatic cell hybrids; in situ hybridization refined the sublocalization to human 11q13. Analysis of somatic cell hybrids suggested that the most likely localization of ROM1 is in the approximately 2-cM interval between human PGA (human pepsinogen A) and PYGM (muscle glycogen phosphorylase). ROM1 appears to be a new member of a conserved syntenic group whose members include such genes as CD5, CD20, and OSBP (oxysterol-binding protein), on human chromosome 11 and mouse chromosome 19. Localization of the ROM1 gene will permit the examination of its linkage to hereditary retinopathies in man and mouse.     

Localization of the villin gene on human chromosome 2q35-q36 and on mouse chromosome 1

Summary A partial cDNA clone coding for the 110 carboxyterminal amino acids of human villin was used for mapping the human villin gene. In situ hybridization experiments on human chromosomes with tritiated probe allowed the regional localization of the villin locus to chromosome 2 at q35-36. Data obtained from restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of two mouse species demonstrated the assignment of the villin gene to mouse chromosome 1 by assessment of linkage with the fast skeletal isoform of the myosin light-chain gene. These villin gene localizations add a fourth locus to the conserved gene cluster encoding the fast skeletal muscle isoform of the myosin light chain, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and the crystallins and confirm the partial homology of the human chromosome 2 long arm and mouse chromosome 1.     

Localization of the acetylcholine receptor gamma subunit gene to human chromosome 2q32----qter

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of skeletal muscle (CHRN in man, Acr in mouse) is a transmembrane protein composed of four different subunits (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) assembled into the pentamer alpha 2 beta gamma delta. These subunits are encoded by separate genes which derive from a common ancestral gene by duplication. We have used a murine full-length 1,900-bp-long cDNA encoding the gamma subunit subcloned into M 13 (clone gamma 18) to prepare single-stranded probes for hybridization to EcoRI-digested DNA from a panel of human x rodent somatic cell hybrids. Using conditions of low stringency to favor cross-species hybridization, and prehybridization with rodent DNA to prevent rodent background, we detected a single major human band of 30-40 kb. The pattern of segregation of this 30-40 kb band correlated with the segregation of human chromosome 2 within the panel and the presence of a chromosomal translocation in the distal part of the long arm of this t(X;2)(p22;q32.1) chromosome allowing the localization of the gamma subunit gene (CHRNG) to 2q32----qter. The human genes encoding the gamma and delta subunits have been shown to be contained in an EcoRI restriction fragment of approximately 20 kb (Shibahara et al., 1985). Consequently, this study also maps the delta subunit gene (CHRND) to human chromosome 2q32.1----qter. In the mouse, the Acrd and Acrg genes have been shown to be linked to Idh-1, Mylf (IDH1 and MYL1 in humans, respectively) and to the gene encoding villin on chromosome 1. Interestingly, we have recently localized the human MYL1 gene to the same chromosomal fragment of human chromosome 2. These results clearly demonstrate a region of chromosomal homoeology between mouse chromosome 1 and human chromosome 2.     

The microcell-mediated transfer of human chromosome 8 restores the deficient N-acetylytransferase activity in skin fibroblasts of Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIC patients

The candidate gene for Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IIIC has been localized to the pericentric region of the chromosome 8 by the linkage disequilibrium analysis. To validate the localization of the gene, we rescued the deficient acetyl-coenzyme A: alpha-glucosaminide-N-acetylytransferase activity in the cultured cells of MPS IIIC patients by functional complementation via microcell-mediated chromosome transfer. The introduction of the target human monochromosome completely restored the activity confirming functional localization of the candidate gene on human chromosome 8.     

Synaptophysin: structure of the human gene and assignment to the X chromosome in man and mouse.

Synaptophysin is an integral membrane protein of small synaptic vesicles in brain and endocrine cells. We have determined the structure and organization of the human synaptophysin gene and have established the chromosome localizations in man and mouse. Analysis of a cosmid clone containing the human synaptophysin gene (SYP) revealed seven exons distributed over approximately 20 kb, when compared with the previously published cDNA sequence. The exon-intron boundaries have been identified and do not correlate with functional domains. One intron interrupts the 3' untranslated region. Chromosomal localization of the human and murine genes for synaptophysin established the human SYP locus on the X chromosome in subbands Xp11.22-p11.23 and the mouse synaptophysin gene locus (Syp) on the X chromosome in region A-D. In addition, an Eco0109 RFLP has been identified and used in genetic mapping of the human SYP locus and supports the order TIMP-SYP-DXS14 within a span of approximately 4-7 centimorgans.     

Assignment of the genes encoding human interleukin-8 receptor types 1 and 2 and an interleukin-8 receptor pseudogene to chromosome 2q35.

Two human cDNA clones that encode different interleukin-8 (IL8) receptors have recently been isolated. The interleukin-8 receptor type 1 (IL8R1) binds IL8 only, whereas the interleukin-8 receptor type 2 (IL8R2) (previously designated IL8RA) also binds growth regulated gene (GRO), and neutrophil activating protein-2 (NAP-2) with high affinity. In the process of screening a genomic library with these cDNAs to obtain large clones for use in chromosomal localization studies, we isolated an interleukin-8 receptor pseudogene (IL8RP) that bears greatest similarity to IL8R2. Using Southern hybridization analysis of human x rodent somatic cell hybrid DNAs with cDNA probes for IL8R1 and IL8R2 and probes from the IL8RP locus, we assigned the three loci to chromosome 2; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to metaphase chromosome preparations using genomic clones from each locus refined this localization to chromosome 2, band q35, for all three. By virtue of their chromosomal location, IL8R1 and IL8R2 may be considered candidate genes for several human disorders in which the involved locus has been mapped to distal 2q or that are associated with structural abnormalities of this segment, including van der Woude syndrome and the neoplastic diseases rhabdomyosarcoma and uterine leiomyomata. In addition, because this region of chromosome 2q is homologous to proximal mouse chromosome 1 in the segment containing the Lsh-Ity-Bcg locus involved in mediating host resistance to infection with intracellular pathogens, examination for abnormalities of the murine homologues of the IL8R genes should be considered in mice affected by mutations of this locus.     

Juxta-centromeric region of human chromosome 21 is enriched for pseudogenes and gene fragments

A physical map including four pseudogenes and 10 gene fragments and spanning 500 kb in the juxta-centromeric region of the long arm of human chromosome 21 is presented. cDNA fragments isolated from a selected cDNA library were characterized and mapped to the 831B6 YAC and to two BAC contigs that cover 250 kb of the region. An 85 kb genomic sequence located in the proximal region of the map was analyzed for putative exons. Four pseudogenes were found, including psiIGSF3, psiEIF3, psiGCT-rel whose functional copies map to chromosome 1p13, chromosome 2 and chromosome 22q11, respectively. The TTLL1 pseudogene corresponds to a new gene whose functional copy maps to chromosome 22q13. Ten gene fragments represent novel sequences that have related sequences on different human chromosomes and show 97-100% nucleotide identity to chromosome 21. These may correspond to pseudogenes on chromosome 21 and to functional genes in other chromosomes. The 85 kb genomic sequence was analyzed also for GC content, CpG islands, and repetitive sequence distribution. A GC-poor L isochore spanning 40 kb from satellite 1 was observed in the most centromeric region, next to a GC-rich H isochore that is a candidate region for the presence of functional genes. The pericentric duplication of a 7.8 kb region that is derived from the 22q13 chromosome band is described. We showed that the juxta-centromeric region of human chromosome 21 is enriched for retrotransposed pseudogenes and gene fragments transferred by interchromosome duplications, but we do not rule out the possibility that the region harbors functional genes also.     

Assignment of the gene for dipeptidase 2 to Mus musculus chromosome 18 by somatic cell hybridization

Evidence is presented for the assignment of the gene for dipeptidase 2 to Mus musculus chromosome 18 by synteny testing and karyotypic analysis of Chinese hamster × mouse somatic cell hybrid clones. DIP-2 and chromosome 18 were expressed concordantly in 24/24 clones examined (ten primary clones and 14 secondary clones). Synteny testing indicated that DIP-2 was not expressed concordantly with the expression of any marker enzymes.This work was supported by NIH grant USPHS GM 09966.     

X-chromosome localization of the functional gene for the E1 alpha subunit of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

The functional gene locus for the E1 alpha subunit of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex has been localized to the p22.1-22.2 region of the X chromosome by in situ hybridization and analysis of somatic cell hybrids with various human X-chromosome rearrangements. Another locus showing significant cross-hybridization with an E1 alpha cDNA probe was detected on chromosome 4, in the region q22. The X-chromosome localization of the pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha subunit gene provides a number of possible explanations for the clinical and biochemical variability which is a major feature of human pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency.