LOCALIZATION OF THE CHINESE-HAMSTER MHC LOCUS TO CHROMOSOME 1Q17-]Q18BY FLUORESCENCE IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION

Comparative gene mapping analysis in mammals suggests that the major h istocompatibility complex (MHC) genes map syntenic with genes, such as glyoxylase 1 (GLO1). In man, the MHC locus and other genes of this sy ntenic group map to chromosome band 6p21.3, and in mouse, these genes map to chromosome 17. In the hamster, however, only the GLO1 gene has been localized; GLO1 maps to chromosome 1, suggesting that the genes w ithin the MHC locus also map to this chromosome. We have localized the hamster MHC class I genes to chromosome band 1q17-->q18 by fluorescen ce in situ hybridization (FISH). These results suggest that GLO1 and o ther syntenic genes also lie within this chromosome region.