We have recently described a human receptor tyrosine kinase (hek) that
is expressed by some pre-B and thymic T cell lines, but is not detect
able on normal adult human tissues. Gene cloning studies established t
hat hek is a new member of the EPH family of receptor tyrosine kinases
. The expression of hek may normally be developmentally regulated and
inappropriate expression may contribute to oncogenesis. In the present
study, we have used Southern blot analysis of somatic cell hybrids an
d fluorescence in situ hybridization to localize the hek gene to human
chromosome region 3p11.2. Karyotype analysis of the cell lines that o
verexpress hek showed no cytogenetically visible abnormality involving
the hek locus. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.