A human chromosomal region, 15q11-q13, was microdissected, its DNA was
amplified with the primer-linker PCR method, and the PCR products wer
e cloned into a plasmid vector to construct a microclone library. Of 1
93 microclones analyzed with Southern blot hybridization on hybrid cel
l panels, 26 (13.5%) were either single-copy (unique) or low-repetitiv
e fragments. By screening of a cosmid library of human genomic DNA usi
ng the 26 microclones as probes, 47 positive cosmids were obtained and
underwent regional mapping with chromosome fluorescence in situ hybri
dization (FISH). Sixteen cosmids gave FISH signals at 15p-cen, 5 at 15
q11-q13, 6 at 15q22-q26, 3 at other chromosomes, and 17 no signal. The
se 27 cosmids mapped to chromosome 15 are useful additions to the inve
ntory of DNA markers of this chromosome including the much interested
Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome region.