Genomic structure, sequence, and refined mapping of the human intersectin gene (ITSN), which encompasses 250 kb on chromosome 21q22.1-->q22.2

The ubiquitously expressed and brain-specific human intersectin (ITSN) isoforms are scaffold proteins probably involved in general endocytosis and synaptic vesicle recycling, respectively. Here, analysis of 21q22.1-->q22.2 genomic sequence revealed that ITSN consists of 41 exons spanning approximately 250 kb and maps between GART and D21S325. The probable function of the ITSN isoforms and mapping position of ITSN suggest that disproportionate expression of this gene may be implicated in the phenotypic characteristics of Down syndrome.     

Identification of a zeta-crystallin (quinone reductase)-like 1 gene (CRYZL1) mapped to human chromosome 21q22.1

To identify a new gene(s) located on the yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clone D142H8 that was mapped to human chromosome 21q22.1, purified YAC DNA from the clone was utilized directly as a probe to screen a human brain cDNA library after the suppression of human repetitive DNA. One cDNA clone hybridizing specifically to the YAC D142H8 DNA was identified. The clone has an insert of 1341 bp and the longest open reading frame of 349 amino acids. A search of GenBank revealed that the clone has a high degree of homology to zeta-crystallin (quinone reductase) at the amino acid level, and its nucleotide sequence represents the expressed sequence from the 50-kb segment of the human chromosome 21q11.1. Thus a new gene was named CRYZL1 (zeta-crystalline-like 1). Genomic Southern blot with total human and yeast DNAs suggests that CRYZL1 might be a single-copy gene. The fluorescence in situ hybridization procedure was applied, and the results showed that the gene mapped to the human chromosome 21q22.1 subband. The CRYZL1 mRNA was expressed in heart, brain, skeletal muscle, kidney, pancreas, liver, and lungs but at different levels in different tissues.     

The polymorphic Fc gamma receptor II gene maps to human chromosome 1q

Human receptors for IgG (Fc gamma R) play important roles in the immune response. Expression of the human Fc gamma RII gene may be relevant in immune complex related disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome. We have used spot blot analysis of dual laser-sorted human chromosomes to localize the Fc gamma RII gene to human chromosome 1. Spot blot analysis of sorted derivative chromosomes sublocalized the gene to the chromosome 1 long arm (1q12----q25.1). This subchromosomal localization involved reassigning a reciprocal chromosome translocation breakpoint. We also identified Xmn I and Taq I Fc gamma RII polymorphic restriction sites that arose before the races diverged. These common Xmn I and Taq I polymorphisms are predicted to be informative for segregation analysis with human diseases in 85% of all matings.     

A human SHC-related sequence maps to chromosome 17, the SHC gene maps to chromosome 1

The SHC gene encodes a protein that is thought to act as an adapter in many signal transduction pathways; the SHC protein probably facilitates the activation of RAS proteins in response to a variety of factors. We have mapped the human SHC gene and have identified a new SHC-related sequence. We have sequenced the region corresponding to the SHC 3 UTR from both loci and have mapped cosmids by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The human SHC gene maps to the proximal long arm of chromosome 1 and the SHC-related sequence maps to the proximal long arm of chromosome 17. A number of cancers have been positioned in the proximal long arm of chromosome 1; this is of interest given the oncogenic potential of the SHC protein.     

The gene for juvenile hyaline fibromatosis maps to chromosome 4q21

Juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (JHF) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by multiple subcutaneous nodular tumors, gingival fibromatosis, flexion contractures of the joints, and an accumulation of hyaline in the dermis. We performed a genomewide linkage search in two families with JHF from the same region of the Indian state of Gujarat and identified a region of homozygosity on chromosome 4q21. Dense microsatellite analyses within this interval in five families with JHF who were from diverse origins demonstrate that all are compatible with linkage to chromosome 4q21 (multipoint LOD score 5.5). Meiotic recombinants place the gene for JHF within a 7-cM interval bounded by D4S2393 and D4S395.     

A breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility gene maps to chromosome 17q21.

Nineteen North American Caucasian families that contain a minimum of four confirmed cases of breast or ovarian cancer have been studied. Four polymorphisms (cLB17.1, D17S579, D17S588, and D17S74), which span a region of approximately 15 cM on chromosome 17q12, were typed. Our data confirm the location of a dominant gene conferring susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer (maximum lod = 9.78) and suggest that the breast-ovarian cancer syndrome is genetically heterogeneous. Two recombinants in one large family suggest that the breast-ovarian cancer locus lies between D17S588 and D17S579.     

Localization of human platelet proteoglycan gene to chromosome 10, band q22.1, by in situ hybridization

Summary A cDNA probe of 527 base pairs coding for the human platelet proteoglycan (PPG) protein core demonstrated that the PPG gene lies on the long arm of chromosome 10, band q22.1. This result and other available data concerning proteoglycans containing serine-glycine repeats indicate that this gene is involved in the expression of a proteoglycan in various blood cell types.     

A cholesterol-lowering gene maps to chromosome 13q

A cholesterol-lowering gene has been postulated from familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) families having heterozygous persons with normal LDL levels and homozygous individuals with LDL levels similar to those in persons with heterozygous FH. We studied such a family with FH that also had members without FH and with lower-than-normal LDL levels. We performed linkage analyses and identified a locus at 13q, defined by markers D13S156 and D13S158. FASTLINK and GENEHUNTER yielded LOD scores >5 and >4, respectively, whereas an affected-sib-pair analysis gave a peak multipoint LOD score of 4.8, corresponding to a P value of 1.26x10-6. A multipoint quantitative-trait-locus (QTL) linkage analysis with maximum-likelihood binomial QTL verified this locus as a QTL for LDL levels. To test the relevance of this QTL in an independent normal population, we studied MZ and DZ twin subjects. An MZ-DZ comparison confirmed genetic variance with regard to lipid concentrations. We then performed an identity-by-descent linkage analysis on the DZ twins, with markers at the 13q locus. We found strong evidence for linkage at this locus with LDL (P<.0002), HDL (P<.004), total cholesterol (P<.0002), and body-mass index (P<.0001). These data provide support for the existence of a new gene influencing lipid concentrations in humans.     

The AKT1 proto-oncogene maps to human chromosome 14, band q32

The human AKT1 gene is the proto-oncogene of the viral oncogene v-akt. The AKT1 gene has been localized to human chromosome 14, band q32, proximal to the heavy-chain immunoglobulin locus (IGHM), by analysis of human-hamster somatic cell hybrids and by in situ hybridization. Chromosome rearrangements of this band which occur in T-lymphoid malignancies and Hodgkin's disease may affect the AKT1 gene.     

The human interleukin-10 receptor gene maps to chromosome 11q23.3

The human interleukin-10 receptor (IL-10R) gene has previously been mapped to chromosome 11. Here, we have determined the precise location of the human IL-10R gene by the fluorescence in situ hybridization method, and have found that the IL-10R gene maps to chromosome 11q23.3.     

The human aldose reductase gene maps to chromosome region 7q35

Summary The human aldose reductase (AR) gene has been mapped to chromosome 7 using the polymerase chain reaction to specifically amplify the human AR sequence in hamster/human hybrid DNA and also in mouse/ human monochromosome hybrids. The assignment to chromosome 7 was confirmed by in situ hybridisation to human metaphase chromosomes using a novel, rapid hybridisation, method giving a regional localisation at 7q35.     

The gene for cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) maps to the subtelomeric region on human chromosome 21q and to proximal mouse chromosome 17

The human gene for cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), the enzyme deficient in classical homocystinuria, has been assigned to the subtelomeric region of band 21q22.3 by in situ hybridization of a rat cDNA probe to structurally rearranged chromosomes 21. The homologous locus in the mouse (Cbs) was mapped to the proximal half of mouse chromosome 17 by Southern analysis of Chinese hamster X mouse somatic cell hybrid DNA. Thus, CBS/Cbs and the gene for alpha A-crystalline (CRYA1/Crya-1 or Acry-1) form a conserved linkage group on human (HSA) chromosome region 21q22.3 and mouse (MMU) chromosome 17 region A-C. Features of Down syndrome (DS) caused by three copies of these genes should not be present in mice trisomic for MMU 16 that have been proposed as animal models for DS. Mice partially trisomic for MMU 16 or MMU 17 should allow gene-specific dissection of the trisomy 21 phenotype.     

Juvenile hemochromatosis locus maps to chromosome 1q

Juvenile hemochromatosis (JH) is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to severe iron loading in the 2d to 3d decade of life. Affected members in families with JH do not show linkage to chromosome 6p and do not have mutations in the HFE gene that lead to the common hereditary hemochromatosis. In this study we performed a genomewide search to map the JH locus in nine families: six consanguineous and three with multiple affected patients. This strategy allowed us to identify the JH locus on the long arm of chromosome 1. A maximum LOD score of 5.75 at a recombination fraction of 0 was detected with marker D1S498, and a LOD score of 5. 16 at a recombination fraction of 0 was detected for marker D1S2344. Homozygosity mapping in consanguineous families defined the limits of the candidate region in an approximately 4-cM interval between markers D1S442 and D1S2347. Analysis of genes mapped in this interval excluded obvious candidates. The JH locus does not correspond to the chromosomal localization of any known gene involved in iron metabolism. These findings provide a means to recognize, at an early age, patients in affected families. They also provide a starting point for the identification of the affected gene by positional cloning.     

The gene for the ataxia-telangiectasia variant,Nijmegen breakage syndrome,maps to a 1-cM interval on chromosome 8q21.

Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS; Seemanová II syndrome) and Berlin breakage syndrome (BBS), also known as ataxia-telangiectasia variants, are two clinically indistinguishable autosomal recessive familial cancer syndromes that share with ataxia-telangiectasia similar cellular, immunological, and chromosomal but not clinical findings. Classification in NBS and BBS was based on complementation of their hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation in cell-fusion experiments. Recent investigations have questioned the former classification into two different disease entities, suggesting that NBS/BBS is caused by mutations in a single radiosensitivity gene. We now have performed a whole-genome screen in 14 NBS/BBS families and have localized the gene for NBS/BBS to a 1-cM interval on chromosome 8q21, between markers D8S271 and D8S270, with a peak LOD score of 6.86 at D8S1811. This marker also shows strong allelic association to both Slavic NBS and German BBS patients, suggesting the existence of one major mutation of Slavic origin. Since the same allele is seen in both former complementation groups, genetic homogeneity of NBS/BBS can be considered as proved.