Incorporation of 35 novel gene transcripts into the physical and genetic map of human chromosome 13

A panel of somatic cell hybrids carrying a defined set of rearrangements involving chromosome 13 has been used to assign 35 novel gene transcripts regionally. The positions of the chromosome 13 breakpoints in each somatic cell hybrid have previously been defined relative to the Genethon genetic linkage map. As a result, the position of each gene transcript has been determined relative to both the physical and the genetic linkage maps. Analysis of the distribution of these gene transcripts indicates a slight overrepresentation toward locations on the distal long arm of chromosome 13, with no localizations noted in the 13q22-q31 region. Seven of these novel gene transcripts and the gene encoding small ribonucleoprotein U6 have been mapped to YACs known to contain Genethon microsatellite markers, thereby providing further sublocalization relative to the genetic map. The positioning of these gene transcripts within the genetic and physical maps provides candidate genes for disease loci that are being mapped to the same intervals on the chromosome.