MINK 5S RIBOSOMAL-RNA GENES MAP TO 2Q IN 3 LOCI SUGGESTING CONSERVATION OF SYNTENY WITH HUMAN 1Q

By in situ hybridization we show that the 58 rRNA genes in the mink ma p to chromosome 2q in three loci. The 2q1.1 locus containing 34% of th e 58 rDNA, maps close to the centromere, and the remaining two loci of the 5S rDNA map to 2q1.3 (52%) and to 2q2.3. (14%). These data were o btained with a tritiated transcript of the 58 rRNA gene containing 121 bp. In a comparative FISH study performed with a biotinylated transcr ipt of the 58 rRNA gene the procedure failed to detect the 2q2.3 site. A closely corresponding difference between the two procedures experie nced previously in man and in the crab-eating macaque is discussed. Th e present results suggest a homology between 2q in the mink and part o f Iq in man harbouring the 58 rRNA genes in 1q42.13 and 1q31, respecti vely.