The genetic map of the domestic cat has been developed as a model for
studying both feline analogues of human genetic disease and comparativ
e genome organization of mammals. We present here the results of synte
nic mapping of 35 genes based upon concordant occurrence of feline gen
e homologues with feline chromosomes and previously mapped loci in a p
anel of 41 rodent x cat somatic cell hybrids, These somatic cell hybri
ds retain rodent chromosomes and segregate feline chromosomes, but in
different combinations in each hybrid cell line, Thirty-three of the 3
5 new locus assignments extend and reaffirm conserved chromosome segme
nt homologies between the human and cat genomes previously recognized
by comparative mapping and zoo-FISH. These results demonstrate the ext
ensive syntenic conservation between the human and feline genomes and
extend the feline gene map to include 105 assigned loci.