Characterization of the central region containing the X-inactivation center and terminal region of the mouse X chromosome using irradiation and fusion gene transfer hybrids

A new family of mouse genes homologous to the human MAGE genes

The human MAGE genes are expressed in a wide variety of tumors but not in normal cells, with the exception of the male germ cells, placenta, and, possibly, cells of the developing embryo. These genes encode tumor-specific antigens recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes. The MAGE genes are located on the X chromosome, in three clusters denoted MAGE-A, B, and C, mapping at q28, p21.3, and q26, respectively. The function of these genes remains unknown. Because mice offer many advantages for the study of genes that may be involved in embryonic development, we looked for the murine equivalents of the 12 human MAGE-A genes. Using a MAGE-A probe, we isolated 8 new murine genes that are homologous to the MAGE genes. On average, the open reading frames (ORFs) of these 8 closely related genes display a slightly higher degree of nucleotide identity with the MAGE-A ORFs than with the MAGE-B or MAGE-C ORFs. Furthermore, like MAGE-A genes, they encode acidic proteins, whereas the MAGE-B genes encode basic proteins. Accordingly, these 8 murine genes were named Mage-a1 to 8 (approved symbols Magea1 to 8). Mage-a genes were mapped in two different loci on the mouse X chromosome. Mage-a4 and Mage-a7 are located in a region that is syntenic to either Xp21 or Xq28. The 6 other genes are arranged in a cluster located in a region syntenic to Xp22. Like their human counterparts, Mage-a genes were found to be transcribed in adult testis, but not in other tissues. Expression of some Mage-a genes was also detected in tumor cell lines. Two Mage-a genes were found to be expressed in blastocysts.

A radiation hybrid framework map of bovine chromosome 13

In this paper we present a 5000-rad radiation hybrid framework map of bovine chromosome 13 (BTA13) containing 13 loci, including five conserved genes and eight polymorphic microsatellites. All framework markers are ordered with odds greater than 1000:1. Furthermore, we present a comprehensive map of BTA13 integrating 11 genes and 16 microsatellites. The proposed order is in general agreement with the recently published medium-density linkage maps. A model of five blocks of genes with conserved order between human, mouse and cattle is presented.

High frequency de novo alterations in the long-range genomic structure of the mouse pseudoautosomal region

The pseudoautosomal region (PAR) is a segment of shared homology between the X and Y chromosomes. Here we report physical linkage of three mouse PAR probes: DXYHgu1, DXYMov15 and (TTAGGG)n. Steroid sulphatase (Sts) maps distal to these probes, indicating that there is an internal array of the telomere sequence (TTAGGG)n in the PAR. Pseudoautosomal PacI restriction fragments, up to 2 Mb in size, are unstable in C57BL/6 x C57BL/6 crosses. New alleles, often several hundred kilobases different in size, occur at a sex-averaged rate of approximately 30% per allele. Such frequent large-scale germline genome arrangements are without precedent in mammals.

Structural variation of the pseudoautosomal region between and within inbred mouse strains

The pseudoautosomal region (PAR) is a segment of shared homology between the sex chromosomes. Here we report additional probes for this region of the mouse genome. Genetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses indicate that one probe, PAR-4, hybridizes to the pseudoautosomal telomere and a minor locus at the telomere of chromosome 9 and that a PCR assay based on the PAR-4 sequence amplifies only the pseudoautosomal locus (DXYHgu1). The region detected by PAR-4 is structurally unstable; it shows polymorphism both between mouse strains and between animals of the same inbred strain, which implies an unusually high mutation rate. Variation occurs in the region adjacent to a (TTAGGG)n array. Two pseudoautosomal probes can also hybridize to the distal telomeres of chromosomes 9 and 13, and all three telomeres contain DXYMov15. The similarity between these telomeres may reflect ancestral telomere-telomere exchange.

Irradiation and fusion gene transfer

Irradiation and fusion gene transfer (IFGT) is a technique that spans the gap between the limitations of molecular methods and somatic-cell genetics, allowing the separation of DNA fragments between 0.25 and 30 Mb in size. In conjunction with genetic linkage analysis and physical mapping techniques, IFGT provides a very useful addition to methods for cloning disease loci, and mapping chromosomes and entire genomes.

A method for constructing radiation hybrid maps of whole genomes

In radiation hybrid mapping, chromosomes in human-rodent hybrid cells are fragmented by X-rays and fragments rescued by fusion of the donor cell to a recipient rodent cell. The co-retention frequencies of markers in 100-200 hybrids are used to map individual chromosomes, but mapping the whole genome in this way is impractical. We have reverted to the original protocols of Goss and Harris and have produced a panel of 44 hybrids using irradiated human fibroblasts as donors. This panel has been used to make a map of human chromosome 14 containing 40 ordered markers. The map integrates previously published maps and localizes nine new markers. We suggest that the construction of a high resolution map of the whole human genome is feasible with a single panel of 100-200 hybrids.

A panel of deleted mouse X chromosome somatic cell hybrids derived from the embryonic stem cell line HD3 shows preferential breakage in the Hprt-DXHX254E region

A panel of 91 somatic cell hybrids containing deleted mouse X chromosomes and falling into seven nested intervals has been isolated and characterized from fusions involving the murine embryonic stem cell HD3. Many of the X chromosome breakpoints present in these hybrids fall within regions in which few or no other hybrids were previously available. The apparent enrichment for breakpoints lying within the Hprt-DXHX254E region is discussed in relation to both the nature of the embryonic stem cell fusions and the presence of the Fmr1 gene associated with FRAXA in man within this span.

Radiation hybrids: irradiation and fusion gene transfer

Irradiation and fusion gene transfer can be used to construct detailed genetic maps of complex genomes. This technique is complementary to mapping methods based on both physical distance and genetic recombination.

Adaptation of the interspersed repetitive sequence polymerase chain reaction to the isolation of mouse DNA probes from somatic cell hybrids on a hamster background

A strategy for the rapid isolation of DNA probes from radiation-fusion Chinese hamster cell hybrids containing overlapping portions of the murine X chromosome based on the interspersed repetitive sequence polymerase chain reaction (IRS-PCR) previously used with human somatic cell hybrids has been developed. This specific amplification of mouse DNA on a hamster background depends on the use of primers directed to the B2 short interspersed repeat element family and the R repeat, from the long interspersed repeat element family, L1. Two sets of amplification conditions, which gave specific amplification of mouse DNA from either a mouse X-monochromosomal hybrid or irradiation-fusion hybrids having reduced X content, were defined. The mouse X-only chromosome hybrid yielded approximately 20 discrete reproducible bands, while the irradiation-fusion hybrids yielded between 1 and 10 discrete products. Comparison of different irradiation-fusion hybrids has allowed the definition of both specific and shared products corresponding to different regions within the overlapping X-chromosome fragments present within these hybrids. Use of such hybrids and the IRS-PCR technique has allowed the isolation of probes corresponding to the central region of the mouse X chromosome that contains the X-inactivation center. The method should be widely applicable to the isolation of mouse DNA sequences from mouse hybrid cell lines on either human or Chinese hamster backgrounds.