ASSIGNMENT OF THE HUMAN PANCREATIC REGENERATING (REG) GENE TO CHROMOSOME-2P12

A cDNA termed reg (for regenerating gene) has been isolated and charac terized from a rat pancreatic library. Expression of reg is markedly i ncreased in regenerating islets and decreased when insulin gene expres sion is inhibited. These findings have led to the hypothesis that reg may be involved in the expansion of beta-cell mass during regeneration as well as in the maintenance of normal beta-cell function. The human reg gene has a high degree of similarity to the rat reg gene. To dete rmine the chromosomal location of the human reg gene, we analyzed two panels of mouse- or hamster-human hybrid cell lines containing a singl e human chromosome or several different human chromosomes. DNA extract s from these cell lines were analyzed for the presence of the human re g gene by polymerase chain reaction. In addition, human metaphase chro mosomes were used for fluorescence in situ hybridization to further co nfirm the chromosomal assignment and to determine the subchromosomal l ocalization. With these approaches, we show that the human reg gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 2 near the centromere at band 2p12. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.