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Comparing the genomes of the great apes and human should provide novel information concerning the origins of humankind. Relative to the great apes, the human karyotype has one fewer chromosome pair, as human chromosome 2 derived from the telomeric fusion of two ancestral primate chromosomes. To identify the genomic rearrangements that accompanied human speciation, we initiated a comparative study between human, chimpanzee, and gorilla. Using the HAPPY mapping method, an acellular adaptation of the radiation hybrid method, we mapped a few hundred markers on the human, chimpanzee, and gorilla genomes. This allowed us to identify several chromosome rearrangements, in particular a pericentric inversion and a translocation. We precisely localized the synteny breakpoint that led to the formation of human chromosome 2. This breakpoint was confirmed by FISH mapping.

The gene for 7B2, a protein found in the secretory granules of neural and endocrine cells (gene symbol SGNE1 ) was localized to the E3–F3 region of mouse chromosome 2 and to the q11–q15 region of human chromosome 15. This was determined by in situ hybridization, using a mouse 7B2 cDNA and an intronic fragment of the corresponding human gene as probes. The respective locations of SGNE1 in the two species correlate with the conservation of loci between these subregions of mouse chromosome 2 and human chromosome 15. Clinically, the human SGNE1 DNA fragment may serve as a molecular probe of this locus in both the Prader-Willi and the Angelman syndromes, which are often accompanied by submicroscopic chromosomal deletions in the 15q11–15q13 region.

We report here the identification of two distinct human cDNAs, called VNN1 and VNN2, related to the recently described mouse Vanin-1 molecule involved in lymphocyte migration (M. Aurrand-Lions et al., 1996, Immunity 5: 391-405). Tissue distribution of the expression of these two human Vanin-like genes is differential. Since Vanin-1 shares significant homologies with human biotinidase (BTD), we describe here a new family of related genes including at least four members: mouse Vanin-1, VNN1, VNN2, and BTD. We have mapped the murine locus encompassing the Vanin-1 gene on mouse chromosome 10 in position A2B1. The two human Vanin-like genes are closely linked, since they were found on the same YAC clone and colocalized on human chromosome 6q23-q24 known to contain several genetic alterations linked to the progression of metastatic human cancers.

Rat striatin, a recently discovered calmodulin-binding protein belonging to the WD repeat family, is expressed in neurons, mostly in the striatum and motor and olfactory systems. Striatin is localized in the somato-dendritic compartment of neurons, mainly in the spines. It may play a role in dendritic Ca2+signaling. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of human striatin cDNA (HGMW-approved symbol STRN), the localization of the gene to chromosome 2p22–p21, and its preferential expression in brain. The human cDNA sequence is predicted to encode a 780-amino-acid protein possessing eight WD repeats. Striatin is highly conserved between rat and human with 96% identity and 98% similarity at the amino acid level. Since theCaenorabditis elegansgenome also contains a closely related striatin coding sequence, the function of striatin is likely to be well conserved.

The murine Sycp1 gene is expressed at the early stages of meiosis. We show that it is composed of a number of small exons and localized on mouse chromosome 3. In the laboratory strains, two retrogenes were also identified. The first one (Sycp1-ps1), on chromosome 7, has accumulated point mutations and deletions and is not transcribed. A second retrogene (Sycp1-ps2), on chromosome 8, is inserted within the continuity of a moderately repeated element, in an intron of another gene (Cad11). The two retroposition events can be dated to distinct periods in the evolution of the Muridae. Sycp1-ps2 has kept features indicative of a relatively recent origin, namely a nearly intact coding region, a poly(A) tail, and 14-bp terminal repeats. Its recent origin was confirmed by the fact that it is found in all the laboratory strains of mice, but neither in a recent isolate from Mus musculus domesticus wild stocks nor in the closely related subspecies M. musculus musculus, M. m. molossinus, M. m. castaneus, and M. m. bactrianus. Appearance of the more ancient Sycp1-ps1 retrogene is concomitant with the radiation of the genus. It is present in various Mus species (M. spretus, M. spicilegus, M. macedonicus, and M. cookii), but neither in the rat nor in the more closely related Pyromis genus. Transposition of retrotranscripts during meiosis and their hereditary establishment thus appear to occur relatively frequently. They may, therefore, play a significant role in the evolutionary process.

Several lines of evidence indicate a crucial role for unconventional myosins in the function of the sensory hair cells of the inner ear. We report here the characterization of the cDNAs encoding two unconventional type I myosins from a mouse cochlear cDNA library. The first cDNA encodes a putative protein named Myo1c, which is likely to be the murine orthologue of the bullfrog myosin I{beta} and which may be involved in the gating of the mechanotransduction channel of the sensory hair cells. This myosin belongs to the group of short-tailed myosins I, with its tail ending shortly after a polybasic, TH-1-like domain. The second cDNA encodes a novel type I myosin Myo1f which displays three regions: a head domain with the conserved ATP- and actin-binding sites, a neck domain with a single IQ motif, and a tail domain with the tripartite structure initially described in protozoan myosins I. The tail of Myo1f includes (1) a TH-1 region rich in basic residues, which may interact with anionic membrane phospholipids; (2) a TH-2 proline-rich region, expected to contain an ATP-insensitive actin-binding site; and (3) an SH-3 domain found in a variety of cytoskeletal and signaling proteins. Northern blot analysis indicated that themore » genes encoding Myo1c and Myo1f display a widespread tissue expression in the adult mouse. Myo1c and Myo1f were mapped by in situ hybridization to the chromosomal regions 11D-11E and 17B-17C, respectively. The human orthologuous genes MYO1C and MYO1F were also characterized, and mapped to the human chromosomal regions 17p13 and 19p13.2- 19p1.3.3, respectively. 45 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.« less

The genomic structure of the mouse gene encoding the CDEBP protein has been established. The protein was initially identified on the basis of its ability to bind the CDEI motif (GTCACATG). The same locus has been independently described under the name APLP2, on the basis of sequence similarities with the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP). The exon-intron distribution of Cdebp appears strikingly similar to that of the App gene in the regions encoding the conserved domains, with a divergent structure in the other parts. The transcription start site has been localized, and sequences with promoter activity have been identified immediately upstream of it by their ability to direct the expression of a reporter luciferase gene in transfected cells. This region is devoid of either TATA or CAAT boxes. The gene has been mapped to mouse chromosome 9 by in situ hybridization on metaphase chromosomes.

The mitochondrial capsule selenoprotein (MCS) (HGMW-approved symbol MCSP) is one of three proteins that are important for the maintenance and stabilization of the crescent structure of the sperm mitochondria. We describe here the isolation of a cDNA, the exon-intron organization, the expression, and the chromosomal localization of the human MCS gene. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the human and mouse MCS cDNAs reveals that the 5'- and 3 '-untranslated sequences are more conserved (71%) than the coding sequences (59%). The open reading frame encodes a 116-amino-acid protein and lacks the UGA codons, which have been reported to encode the selenocysteines in the N-terminal of the deduced mouse protein. The deduced human protein shows a low degree of amino acid sequence identity to the mouse protein (39%). The most striking homology lies in the dicysteine motifs. Northern and Southern zooblot analyses reveal that the MCS gene in human, baboon, and bovine is more conserved than its counterparts in mouse and rat. The single intron in the human MCS gene is approximately 6 kb and interrupts the 5'-untranslated region at a position equivalent to that in the mouse and rat genes. Northern blot and in situ hybridization experiments demonstrate that the expression of the human MCS gene is restricted to haploid spermatids. The human gene was assigned to q21 of chromosome 1.

The murine homologue of the human NFE2L1 basic leucine-zipper gene was isolated from an early embryo library. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 97% identity between the two proteins. Significant sequence similarity is also seen with the p45 subunit of NF-E2 and with the Drosophila CNC protein. Murine Nfe2l1 maps to chromosome 11DE with similar sequences at 7D1-7F1 and 2E4-2G. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

The ubiquitously expressed upstream stimulatory factor (USF) involved in the transcription of a wide variety of cellular genes is defined as dimers of c-myc-related proteins, composed of a basic helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper region. The USF family consists of different members that split into two groups: MLTF or USF1 and USF2 or FIP. We present here evidence that USF1 and USF2 are distinct closely related genes in human, rat, and mouse. Based on the recent cloning of rat and human new cDNAs, we have isolated genomic clones encompassing the murine USF2 gene, which consists of at least 10 exons spanning a minimum of 10 kb of genomic DNA. Unexpectedly, the organization of USF2 appears very split up by introns (0.08 to over 6 kb in size), compared to the myc gene structure. The entire gene (but the larger intron) and 1.6 kb of the 5' flanking region were sequenced. This 5' flanking region is GC-rich, contains several putative transcription binding sites, and has no apparent TATA box. Gene mapping of murine USF2 and USF1 has been determined by in situ hybridization, indicating the localization of USF2 on chromosome 7 and of USF1 on chromosomes 1 and 11.

Overlapping cDNA clones that encode the full-length human laminin beta 2 chain, formerly called the S chain, were isolated. The cDNA of 5680 nt contains a 5391-nt open reading frame encoding 1797 amino acids. At the amino terminus is a 32-amino-acid signal peptide that is followed by the mature beta 2 chain polypeptide of 1765 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 192,389 Da. The human beta 2 chain is predicted to have all of the seven structural domains typical of the beta chains of laminin, including the short cysteine-rich alpha region. The amino acid sequence of human beta 2 chain showed 86.1% sequence identity to the rat beta 2 chain, 50.0% to the human beta 1 chain, and 36.3% to the human beta 3 chain. The greatest sequence identity was in domains VI, V, and III. The sequence of a 24-amino-acid peptide fragment isolated from the beta 2 chain of laminin purified from human amniotic basement membrane matched the sequence predicted from the cDNA, confirming that the cDNA encodes human beta 2 laminin. The cDNA was used to assign the gene (LAMB2) to human chromosome 3p21 by in situ hybridization. It is not linked to genes for human laminin chains alpha 1, beta 1, and gamma 1 or other known laminin genes. Immunostaining showed that the beta 2 chain is localized to the smooth muscle basement membranes of the arteries, while the homologous beta 1 chain is confined to the subendothelial basement membranes. The beta 2 chain was found in the basement membranes of ovarian carcinomas but not colon carcinomas. These results indicate that the expression of the beta 2 chain gene is tightly regulated in normal human tissues and in disease.

Analysis of cDNA clones that cross-hybridized with the fork head domain of the rat HNF-3 gene family revealed 10 cDNAs from human fetal brain and human testis cDNA libraries containing this highly conserved DNA-binding domain. Three of these cDNAs (HFK1, HFK2, and HFK3) were further analyzed. The cDNA HFK1 has a length of 2557 nucleotides and shows strong homology at the nucleotide level (91.2%) to brain factor 1 (BF-1) from rat. The HFK1 cDNA codes for a putative 476 amino acid protein. The homology to BF-1 from rat in the coding region at the amino acid level is 87.5%. The fork head homologous region includes 111 amino acids starting at amino acid 160 and has a 97.5% homology to BF-1. Southern hybridization revealed that HFK1 is highly conserved among mammalian species and possibly birds. Northern analysis with total RNA from human tissues and poly(A)-rich RNA from mouse revealed a 3.2-kb transcript that is present in human and mouse fetal brain and in adult mouse brain. In situ hybridization with sections of mouse embryo and human fetal brain reveals that HFK1 expression is restricted to the neuronal cells in the telencephalon, with strong expression being observed in the developing dentate gyrus and hippocampus. HFK1 was chromosomally localized by in situ hybridization to 14q12. The cDNA clones HFK2 and HFK3 were analyzed by restriction analysis and sequencing. HFK2 and HFK3 were found to be closely related but different from HFK1. Therefore, it would appear that HFK1, HFK2, HFK3, and BF-1 form a new fork head related subfamily.

The eukaryotic DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (or B) is composed of 10 to 14 polypeptides ranging from 220 to 10 kDa. To gain further insight into the molecular structure and function of these subunits, we have undertaken the molecular cloning of nucleotide sequences corresponding to the human enzyme. The cDNAs of five subunits (hRPB220, hRPB140, hRPB33, hRPB25, and hRPB14.5) have been isolated. Using in situ hybridization, we show that the genes of these subunits have distinct chromosomal locations (17p13, 4q12, 16q13-q21, 19p13.3, and 19q12, respectively). Thus, if assembly of active polymerase molecules requires coordinated expression from these independent genes, mechanisms that ensure tight coregulation of the corresponding promoters must exist.

Leydig insulin-like protein (LEY I-L) is a member of the insulin-like hormone superfamily. The LEY I-L gene (designated INSL3) is expressed exclusively in prenatal and postnatal Leydig cells. We report here the cloning and nucleotide sequence of porcine and human LEY I-L genes including the 5′ regions. Both genes consist of two exons and one intron. The organization of the LEY I-L gene is similar to that of insulin and relaxin. The transcription start site in the porcine and human LEY I-L gene is localized 13 and 14 bp upstream of the translation start site, respectively. Alignment of the 5′ flanking regions of both genes reveals that the first 107 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site exhibit an overall sequence similarity of 80%. This conserved region contains a consensus TATAA box, a CAAT-like element (GAAT), and a consensus SP1 sequence (GGGCGG) at equivalent positions in both genes and therefore may play a role in regulation of expression of the LEY I-L gene. The porcine and human genome contains a single copy of the LEY I-L gene. By in situ hybridization, the human gene was assigned to bands p13.2-p12 of the short arm of chromosome 19.

The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are natural inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases, a group of zinc-binding endopeptidases involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix. We have isolated overlapping cDNAs encoding a novel human TIMP, TIMP-3. The cDNAs contain a 591-bp-long open reading frame encoding 9 amino acid residues of the signal peptide and 188 residues of the mature TIMP-3 polypeptide. Both the nucleotide sequence and the conceptual translation product of the human TIMP3 cDNA have a high degree of similarity to ChIMP-3, a recently cloned metalloproteinase inhibitor in the chicken, and to the TIMP1 and TIMP2 gene products, including 12 conserved cysteinyl residues at the same relative positions. The TIMP3 gene is expressed in many tissues, with highest expression in the placenta. Upon hybridization with a panel of human-hamster somatic cell hybrid DNAs, the TIMP3 gene segregated with clones containing chromosome 22. Using in situ hybridization to human metaphase chromosomes, we have assigned the locus for the TIMP3 gene to the q12.1-q13.2 region of human chromosome 22.

The inter-α-inhibitor (IαI) and pre-α-inhibitor (PαI) family is composed of three plasma protease inhibitors, IαI, PαI, and bikunin, whose chains are encoded by a set of three evolutionarily related heavy (H) chain genes designated H1, H2, and H3 and a fourth gene, the so-called α1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP) gene. The latter codes for a precursor that splits into: (i) α1-microglobulin, which belongs to the lipocalin superfamily; and (ii) bikunin, which is made up of two tandemly arranged protease inhibitor domains and belongs to the superfamily of Kunitz-type protease inhibitors. The bikunin chain is found in IαI and PαI molecules and it is also present as a free molecule in plasma. In human, the AMBP and H2 genes have been mapped to 9q32–q34 and 10p14–p15, respectively, while the H1 and H3 genes are tandemly located at 3p21.1–p21.2. In situ hybridization mappings indicate that the mouse AMBP gene (Intin-4) is located at 4C1 → C4, and the H1 (Intin-1) and H3 (Intin-3) genes are colocated at 14A2 → C1. In interspecific backcrosses (C57BL/6Pas × Mus spretus) a TaqI restriction variant in (and/or near) the H2 (Intin-2) gene identified a linkage of this gene with other polymorphic loci, which assigns Intin-2 to the centromeric area of chromosome 2. All such assignments are in conserved chromosomal regions between human and mouse. Therefore the genetic events that gave rise to the four IαI family genes took place prior to the divergence between human and mouse. Furthermore, our data confirm and extend conserved syntenies at HSA 3p and proximal MMU 14 and at HSA 10p and proximal MMU 2. They also indicate that the ancestral gene for the lipocalin-encoding genes arose at a chromosome area that has conserved syntenies at HSA 9q34 and MMU 4B → C.

A new human gene encoding a putative receptor-type tyrosine kinase (RTK) was isolated by screening a placenta cDNA library with a mouse Flt3 probe. The deduced amino acid sequence of the intracellular region of the molecule showed that it was strongly related to the FLT1 and KDR FLK 1 gene products and to a lesser degree to members of the class III RTKs FMS CSF 1 R , PDGFRA B , KIT, and FLT3. The gene was named FLT4 Cosmid clones of the mouse Flt4 gene were isolated. The human gene was localized to bands q34–q35 of chromosome 5, i.e., slightly telomeric to the CSF 1 R PDGFRB tandem of genes, and the mouse homolog to chromosome 11, region A5-B1.

The genes coding for the A and B subunits of the transcription factor NF-Y are assigned by a combination of in situ hybridization and analysis of somatic cell hybrids and recombinant mouse strains. NF-YA is assigned to human chromosome 6p21 and to mouse chromosome 17. NF-YB is assigned to human chromosome 12 and to mouse chromosome 10.

The human genes encoding the α and β forms of the retinoic acid receptor are known to be located on chromosomes 17 (band q21.1: RARA ) and 3 (band p24: RARB ). By in situ hybridization, we have now localized the gene for retinoic acid receptor γ, RARG , on chromosome 12, band q13. We also mapped the three retinoic acid receptor genes in the mouse, by in situ hybridization, on chromosomes 11, band D ( Rar - a ); 14, band A ( Rar - b ); and 15, band F ( Rar - g ), respectively, and in the rat, using a panel of somatic cell hybrids that segregate rat chromosomes, on chromosomes 10 ( RARA ), 15 ( RARB ), and 7 ( RARG ), respectively. These assignments reveal a retention of tight linkage between RAR and HOX gene clusters. They also establish or confirm and extend the following homologies: (i) between human chromosome 17, mouse chromosome 11, and rat chromosome 10 ( RARA ); (ii) between human chromosome 3, mouse chromosome 14, and rat chromosome 15 ( RARB ); and (iii) between human chromosome 12, mouse chromosome 15, and rat chromosome 7 ( RARG ).

Laser microdissection has been used to dissect material from the X-chromosome region involved in fragile-X-linked mental retardation. After dissection, single chromosome slices corresponding to this fragile site were subjected to DNA amplification using either a vector ligation method (to provide known anchor sequences) or primer oligonucleotides corresponding to the ubiquitous Alu sequences. Amplified material was then cloned or, alternately, used to screen a gridded cosmid library. Eight cosmid clones identified in this way were regionally mapped using a panel of hybrid cell lines and shown to originate from a narrow interval centered on the fragile X site. Two clones are included in the approximately 6-cM interval defined by probes RNI (DXS369, 5 cM proximal) and VK21 (DXS 296, 1-2 cM distal) and which includes the fragile site, and at least one clone contains sequences conserved across species suggestive of a gene. This method combines the focused approach of microdissection and the convenience of obtaining cosmid (rather than small-insert) clones; it may be useful for studies of other defined chromosomal regions.

G A 0 C A 2. Giuili, G., Roechel, N., Scholl, U., Mattei, M-G., and Guellaen, G. (1993). Colocalization of the genes coding for the a3 and b3 subunits of soluble guanylyl cyclase to human chromosome 4 at q31.3–q33. Hum. Genet. 91: 257–260. 3. Gupta, G., Azam, M., Yang, L., and Danziger, R. S. (1997). The b2 subunit inhibits stimulation of the a1/b2 form of soluble guanylyl cyclase by nitric oxide. J. Clin. Invest. 100: 1488–1492. 4. Yu, F., Warburton, D., Wellington, S., and Danziger, R. S. (1996). Assignment of GUCIA2, the gene coding for the a2 subunit of soluble guanylyl cyclase to position 11q21–q22 on human chromosome 11. Genomics 33: 334–336.

HNF1 is a transcription factor that is required for hepatocyte-specific expression of several genes, including albumin and fibrinogen. Rat HNF1-encoding cDNAs have recently been cloned, revealing that this factor is a distant member of the homeoprotein family. We have now isolated HNF1 clones from a human liver cDNA library by using a rat HNF1 cDNA-derived probe. The longest clone, HCL20, contains a sequence corresponding to the intact rat HNF1-coding region followed by a 3′ nontranslated region and a poly(A) tail, hence representing an almost full-length HNF1 cDNA. Alignment of the human and rat sequences shows that HNF1 is highly conserved between the two species. The HNF1 gene was mapped by in situ hybridization and by RFLP analysis of interspecific mouse backcrosses to chromosomes 12q24.3 and 5F in human and mouse, respectively, establishing a new segmental homology between these two chromosomes.

The BAX gene is a member of the Bcl-2 gene family; it encodes a 21-kDa protein whose association with Bcl-2 is believed to play a critical role in regulating apoptosis. Through analysis of human-hamster somatic cell hybrid DNA and by in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes, we have determined that the human BAX gene is located in the q13.3-q13.4 region of human chromosome 19. We have also isolated a BAX cDNA clone in which that part of the mRNA encoded by exon 3 is absent. The skipping of exon 3 and the resultant splicing of exons 2 and 4 maintains the original reading frame and predicts the existence of an interstitially truncated form of the major Bax protein (Bax alpha), termed Bax delta. Unlike two previously described variant forms of Bax alpha (Bax beta and Bax tau), Bax delta retains the functionally critical C-terminal membrane anchor region as well as the Bcl-2 homology 1 and 2 (BH1 and BH2) domains.

The two cDNA clones pHGCH1 and pHSR1, harboring partial coding sequences for GTPCH and SR, respectively, were tritium-labeled by nick-translation and individually used as probes for in situ hybridization o metaphase cells. Metaphase chromosome spreads, prepared from lymphocytes cultured in the presence of 5-bromo-deoxyuridine as described, were hybridized, autoradiographed, Giemsa-stained, and photographed. Subsequently, the metaphase cells were R-banded by fluorochrome-photolysis-Giemsa, and rephotographed. After hybridization and autoradiography, the distribution of silver grains of the previously photographed chromosome spreads was analyzed. In the 100 metaphase cells examined after in situ hybridization with pHCGCH1, 23.4% of the silver grains from a total of 196 grains were located on chromosome 14. The distribution of grains on this chromosome was not random; i.e., 76.1% of them mapped to the q21-q22 region of the long arm of chromosome 14, with a maximum in the q21 band.

The aim of the present study is to determine the precise localization of this gene in the murine as well as human genome by in situ hybridization. Southern analysis, using the noncoding part of the cDNA as a probe (NotI-BamHI fragment, 1040 bp) under high-stringency conditions, shows the existence of a single-copy gene in the murine genome. In a similar analysis performed on human genomic DNA, the coding part of the cDNA (PstI-NotI fragment, 976 bp) clearly detected a single gene in the human genome (not shown). The authors therefore used these two probes for the chromosomal localization of the murine gene and its human counterpart, respectively. Chromosome spread preparations from concanavalin A (mouse) or phytohemagglutinin (human)-stimulated lymphocytes were hybridized with tritium-labeled cDNAs, exposed for 15 days, and developed, as described previously. For the murine assignment, a total of 100 metaphase cells were examined, and 149 silver grains were found. Forty-two grains were associated with chromosome 4, and 73.8% of them mapped to the D1-D3 region of the chromosome. In the 120 metaphase human cells analyzed, 197 silver grains were found, 25.8% of which were located on chromosome 1. The distribution of grains allowed mapping of the human [delta] opioidmore » receptor gene to the p34.3-p36.1 region of the short arm with a maximum in the p35 band.« less

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are intracellular Ca[sup 2+] release channels responsible for the release of Ca[sup 2+] from intracellular stores following transduction of many different extracellular stimuli. The genes of the two RyRs, originally described in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal (RYR1) or cardiac (RYR2) muscles, have been cloned and mapped on chromosome 19q13.1 and chromosome 1, respectively, in humans. The RYR1 gene has been shown to be tightly linked to the locus for malignant hyperthermia susceptibility (MHS). A single-point mutation in RYR1 has been identified as the possible cause of MHS in swine and of at least some forms of MHS in human. Another MHS locus has been mapped on human chromosome 17q11-q24. We have recently cloned a third RyR (RYR3) from mink, which appears to be widely expressed. A RyR with 94% homology to mink cDNA has also been isolated from rabbit brain.

The human PAX7 gene encodes a protein containing a domain homologous to the Drosophila paired box first described in three segmentation genes. In addition to the paired box, the gene contains the conserved octapeptide and a paired-type homeobox. Two of the five known human PAX genes have been implicated in human disorders so far. Here we have used a somatic cell hybrid panel to localize PAX7 to human chromosome 1. In situ hybridization shows that PAX7 is confined to the short arm of chromosome 1 at 1p35-1p36.2.

International audience; K+ channels form a diverse family of membrane-spanning proteins that exhibit various electrophysiological and pharmacological properties (5). They play a prominent role in a wide variety ofbiological functions such as cell growth, osmotic reg-ulation, hormonal secretion, and excitability (5). Among the various K + channel proteins characterized, the KCNEl pro-tein is distinct from the Shaker-type channels in its structure and biophysical properties (for review, see 6). It consists of 129-130 amino acid residues with a single putative transmem-brane domain and directs the expression of a very slow activat-ing voltage-dependent K + current (4, 7), when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Originally characterized in epithelial cells (7), KCNEl has also been cloned from neonatal heart, uterus, and human Band T lymphocytes (1-3). Its presence in human T lymphocytes suggested that the KCNEl protein could be involved in the T cell activation process (1). In the present work, we mapped the KCNEl gene by in situ hybridization on human metaphase chromosomes and Southern blot analysis of human-Chinese hamster cell hybrids.

The TPD52 (tumor protein D52)-like proteins are small coiled-coil motif-bearing proteins which were first identified though their expression in human breast carcinoma. TPD52-like proteins are known to interact in hetero-and homomeric fashions, but there are no known heterologous binding partners for these proteins. We now report the cloning of a novel member of the MAL proteolipid family, named MAL2, though its interaction with a TPD52L2 bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen. MAL2 is predicted to be 176 residues (19 kDa) with four transmembrane domains and is 35.8% identical to MAL, a proteolipid required in apical vesicle transport. The MAL2 prey bound all TPD52-like baits tested in the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro translation of MAL2 produced a single 19-kDa (35)S-labeled protein which specifically bound full-length GST-Tpd52 in GST pull-down assays. The gene MAL2, which was localized to human chromosomal band 8q23 and shown to consist of four exons, is predominantly expressed in human kidney, lung, and liver. Our study has therefore identified a novel member of the MAL proteolipid family and potentially implicates TPD52-like proteins in vesicle transport.

cDNA clones encoding four new receptors of the G-protein-coupled receptor family were obtained by selective amplification and cloning from thyroid cDNA and termed RDC1, RDC4, RDC7, and RDC8. RDC7 and RDC8 have recently been identified as A1 and A2 adenosine receptors, respectively. These cDNAs were utilized for chromosomal in situ hybridization to establish the genomic location of the corresponding genes in man. The results indicate that human RDC1, RDC4, RDC7, and RDC8 are in regions 2q37, 1p34.3-1p36.3, 22q11.2-22q13.1, and 11q11-11q13, respectively.

The chromosomal location of the lambda-like gene cluster, a gene family selectively expressed in human pre-B cells, was analyzed by in situ hybridization with a probe specific for the lambda-like genes. This cluster mapped in the q11.2-q12.3 region of chromosome 22. The use of Burkitt lymphoma and myelogenous leukemia cell lines with translocations in the 22q11 region led to a refinement in the location according to the following order: cen----BCRL2, VpreB, IgV lambda 1----BCRL4, IgV lambda----IgC lambda----BCR----BCRL3, lambda-like----tel. Unlike those of the mouse system, the pre-B-specific genes VpreB and lambda-like do not belong to the same transcriptional unit.

The 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) represent a family of interferon-induced proteins implicated in the mechanism of the antiviral action of interferon. When activated by double-stranded RNA, these proteins polymerize ATP into 2′-5′-linked oligomers with the general formula pppA(2′p5′A) n , n ≥ 1. Three forms of human OAS corresponding to proteins of 40/46, 69/71, and 100 kDa have been described. Based on the deduced amino acid sequences of the corresponding cDNAs, these OAS share a homologous region of about 350 amino acid residues that could represent the functional domain of OAS; the 40/46 proteins contain one single domain, whereas the 69/71- and the 100-kDa proteins contain two and three adjacent domains, respectively. Here we show that the cDNAs for OAS-40/46, OAS-69/71, and OAS-100 hybridize to distinct interferon-induced mRNAs of 2 kb; 2.8, 3.3, 3.9, and 4.5 kb; and 7 kb, respectively. By in situ hybridization, we assign the human OAS-40/46, OAS-69/71, and OAS-100 genes (referred to as OAS1, OAS2, and OAS3, respectively) to a unique cytogenetic location on chromosomal region 12q24.2. We constructed a YAC, PAC, and cosmid contig carrying the three OAS genes and provide evidence that the three genes are clustered within a single PAC clone of 130 kb. The three OAS genes are flanked by markers WI-10614 (cen) and D12S2293 (tel) and are contained within three sets of overlapping cosmid clones. They share the same orientation of transcription and are arranged in the order cen- 5′–OAS1–OAS3–OAS2–3′-tel. We suggest that clustering of these genes reflects their evolutionary relationship possibly through the duplication of the conserved functional domain. This ready-to-sequence PAC and cosmid contig provides a valuable tool for identifying regulatory elements involved in the transcription of the OAS genes when induced by interferon and for elucidating the exon–intron organization of these genes.

SPOCK, previously identified as testican, is a modular proteoglycan that carries both chondroitin and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan side chains. The overall genomic organization has been established. The SPOCK gene spans at least 70 kb and is composed of 11 exons: the first half of the gene is dramatically expanded, but the second half is more compact. In situ hybridization and YAC mapping independently linked the SPOCK gene to 5q31, a region containing an impressive number of genes encoding growth factors, cytokines, and neurotransmitter and hormone receptors. The gene is located between the IL9 and the EGR1 genes, bordering the smallest commonly deleted region of chromosome 5.

We report here on the identification and genomic mapping of a novel member of the family of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABC7, conserved in mouse and in humans. The ABC7 gene encodes a protein with the typical features of half-transporters, such as those involved in translocation of antigenic peptides or in peroxisomal disorders. ABC7 shows a ubiquitous expression pattern and maps to the X chromosome both in mouse and in humans. The high sequence similarity to those of two yeast half-transporters supports once again the extreme evolutionary conservation of this family of proteins.

The membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) constitute a newly discovered family of four enzymes within the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) superfamily. We have mapped the genes for MT1-MMP (MMP14), MT2-MMP (MMP15), and MT3-MMP (MMP16) using in situ hybridization to human metaphase chromosomes. In contrast to the genes for many MMPs that are clustered on chromosome 11, the genes MMP14, MMP15, and MMP16 all map to distinct chromosomes. MMP14 maps to human chromosome 14, MMP15 to human chromosome 16, and MMP16 to human chromosome 8.

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family comprises to date 12 members, which are involved in various physiological processes throughout embryogenesis and adult life. Two novel members of the family have been identified recently (FGF11 and FGF12). Using in situ hybridization on metaphasic chromosomes, we have been able to assign FGF11 to band p12-p13 of human chromosome 17 and FGF12 to band q28 of human chromosome 3.

The GLI family of zinc finger genes has been implicated in both neoplastic and developmental disorders. We have cloned and sequenced the mouse homolog of the zinc finger gene Gli2 and demonstrated significant similarity to the human GLI3 gene. We have also localized Gli2 to mouse chromosome 1, in the vicinity of the morphogenetic mutation Dominant hemimelia (Dh), which is characterized by tibial hemimelia, poly/oligodactyly, and a number of visceral abnormalities, most strikingly absence of the spleen. Using a Gli2-associated microsatellite, we demonstrated no recombination between Dh and Gli2 in a Dh intraspecific backcross. Gli2 is expressed in Dh heterozygotes and homozygotes. However, using a combination of mismatch analysis and direct sequencing, we have failed to identify any mutations in the coding sequence of Gli2 from Dh. We have also demonstrated that it is unlikely that there are any Gli genes in the mouse genome in addition to the previously described Gli, Gli2, and Gli3.

A cDNA sequencing project was initiated with the aim of isolating and mapping new genes expressed during early human development. A human embryo cDNA library was constructed, and a prescreening procedure was used to select cDNAs corresponding to poorly transcribed genes. Partial sequences were generated from one or both ends of 231 cDNA clones, and sequence comparison with genetic databases revealed that 28% were already annotated genes, 42% matched with partial sequences expressed sequence tags that had already been detected, 3% contained no insert, 5% were highly similar to sequences from other species, and 23% of the cDNAs appeared to be unknown in genetic databases. All new sequences were deposited in public genetic databases, and most of the corresponding cDNAs were regionally mapped on human chromosome bands using both fluorescence and radioactive in situ hybridization. Several cDNAs colocalized with critical regions of the genome regarding mapped disorders, thus providing candidate genes for human genetic diseases.

Cloning is reported of a cDNA homologue to the breast carcinoma-associated D52 cDNA, termed D53, and of a mouse D52 cDNA (HGMW-approved symbols TPD52L1 and TPD52). Human D53 and mouse D52 proteins are predicted to be 52 and 86% identical to human D52, respectively. Analysis of the three protein sequences identified a coiled-coil domain and N- and C-terminally located PEST domains in each. The conservation of homology between the D52 and the D53 sequences, combined with a lack of homology between these and known proteins, defines a new mammalian gene/protein family, the D52 family. The human D52 locus has been previously mapped to chromosome 8q21, and using in situ mapping in the present study, a human D53 locus was mapped to chromosome 6q22-q23. We observed coexpression of the human D52 and D53 genes in some breast tumors and derivative cell lines and found that maintenance of D52 and D53 transcript levels in estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 breast carcinoma cells depends upon estradiol. However, D52 and D53 genes were specifically expressed in HL-60 and K-562 leukemia cells, respectively, with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate treatment decreasing D52 and D53 transcript levels in these cell lines. The presence of a coiled-coil domain, combined with observed codependent ormore » independent expression of the D52 and D53 genes, suggests that D52 and D53 proteins may be capable of hetero- and/or homodimer formation. 41 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.« less

This report describes the localization of the human amiloride-sensitive Na{sup +} channel {delta} isoform to human chromosome 1p36.3-p36.2 using in situ hybridization. Mutations in this group of ion channels have been implicated in various hereditary diseases. 18 refs., 1 fig.

This report describes the localization of the human weak inward rectifier potassium channel gene, TWIK-1, to human chromosome 1q42-43 using in situ hybridization. 15 refs., 1 fig.

The gene (POLR2L) encoding a 7.6-kDa subunit (hRPB7.6) of human RNA polymerase has been cloned. It comprises two exons, 116 and 227 bp, respectively, interspaced with an intron of about 2.1 kb. This gene, whose localization has been assigned to the short arm of chromosome 11 (position 11p15), is transcribed in HeLa cells as one major messenger RNA, which encodes a 67-residue polypeptide (7645 Da) that shares strong homologies with the corresponding subunits of other eukaryotic and archaeal RNA polymerase subunits. Like its yeast counterpart (ABC10β, encoded by theRPB10gene), the hRPB7.6 subunit may be shared by all three classes of human nuclear RNA polymerase. Cysteine residues characteristic of an atypical zinc-binding domain are conserved in the homologous sequences of all six species analyzed. A small, related RNA polymerase subunit from vaccinia virus exhibits an identical set of cysteines, suggesting that these residues may contribute to a crucial function in the multimeric RNA polymerases.

More than 20 genes that encode voltage-gated and Ca{sup 2+}-dependent K{sup +} channels have been identified. These channels are involved in a wide variety of biological functions such as neuronal and muscle excitability, hormone secretion, and osmotic regulation. Two voltage-gated K{sup +} channel genes, KCNA1 and HERG, have been related to neurological and cardiac inherited disorders in humans. Missense mutations in the KCNA1 gene lead to episodic ataxia/myokimia syndrome. Missense, splice donor, and deletion mutations in the HERG gene have been shown to cause long QT syndrome. These two channels belong to the superfamily of cationic channels, which share the characteristic structural features of six transmembrane domains and one segment (called 115) involved in pore formation. 17 refs., 1 fig.

Net, Elk1, and Sap1 are related members of the Ets oncoprotein family. We show by in situ hybridization on banded chromosomes with specific cDNA probes that their map positions on mouse and human chromosomes (respectively) are net, 10C-D1 and 12q22-q23 (now called ELK3), sap1, 1E3-G and 1q32 (ELK4), and elk1, XA1-A3 and Xp11.2-p11.1 (ELK1), as well as a second locus 14q32 (ELK2) unique to the human genome. The results for the mouse net, sap1, and elk1 and human ELK3 genes are new. The human elk1 mapping confirms a previous study. The human ELK4 localization agrees with data published during the preparation of the manuscript. Human ELK3 colocalizes with sap2, and we confirm that they are identical. These results firmly establish for the first time that Net, Elk1, and Sap1 are distinct gene products with different chromosomal localizations in both the mouse and the human genomes. Net, Elk1, and Sap1 are conserved and map to homologous regions of the mouse and human chromosomes. 19 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.

We have performed differential screening of a human metastatic lymph lymph node cDNA library to identify genes possibly involved during breast cancer progression. We have identified four novel genes overexpressed in malignant tiddues. They were all located on the long arm of chromosome 17, in loci located between q11 and q21.3, a region known to contain the c-erbB-2 oncogene and the BRCA1 breast carcinomas, and overexpression of three of them was dependent on gene amplification in breast cancer cell lines. These findings further support the concept that human chromosome 17 specifically carries genes possibly involved in breast cancer progression.

Sialoadhesin is a cell-cell interaction molecule expressed by subpopulations of tissue macrophages. It contains 17 immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains and is structurally related to CD22, MAG, and CD33. These molecules establish a distinct family of sialic acid-dependent adhesion molecules, the sialoadhesin family. We have mapped the rodent sialoadhesin gene, Sn, to chromosome 2F-H1 by in situ hybridization (ISH) and shown linkage to Il1b and four other markers by backcross linkage analysis. We have also used ISH and a human-mouse somatic cell hybrid panel to localize the human sialoadhesin gene, SN, to the conserved syntenic region on human chromosome 20p13. This demonstrates that the sialoadhesin gene is not linked to the other members of the Sialoadhesin family, CD22, MAG, and CD33, which have been independently mapped to the distal region of mouse chromosome 7 and to human chromosome 19q13.1-3.

We have refined and extended the map of the distal half of the human major histocompatibility complex. The map is continuous from HLA-E to 1000 kb telomeric of HLA-F and includes six new markers and genes. In addition, the corresponding sequences that were not previously mapped in the mouse genome have been located. The human and the mouse organizations have therefore been compared. This comparison allows us to demonstrate that the structure of the distal part of the MHC is similar in the two species. In addition, this comparison shows the presence of a breakpoint of synteny telomeric of the distal part of the H-2 region. Indeed, the region telomeric of HLA in human is found on a chromosome different from that carrying H-2 in mouse. The mapping analysis of paralogous genes (structurally related genes) around the breakpoint shows that the human organization probably represents the putative human/mouse ancestral one. This evolutionary breakpoint was precisely mapped in human, and the surrounding region was cloned into yeast artificial chromosomes. Finally, we show that the region found around the breakpoint was involved several times in chromosome recombinations in the mouse lineage, as it seems to correspond also to the t-complex distal inversion point.