Detailed transcript map of a 810-kb region at 11p14 involving identification of 10 novel human 3 ' exons

A limited number of genes, including the human brain-derived neutrotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, have been identified in the human chromosome 11p14 regi on. Since this area is involved in a genetic disorder (WAGR syndrome) and b ecause of interest in studying the regulation of the human BDNF gene, we ha ve established a detailed transcript map of a 810-kb region clone in a yeas t artificial chromosome (YAC), corresponding to a portion of this genomic l ocus. A set of nested deletion mutants has been generated to map genes at a mean resolution of 75 kb, Four genic markers from available mapping databa ses have been mapped on the YAC. Ten potential novel human exons have been isolated by a 3' terminal exon trapping procedure directly applied to purif ied YAC DNA, Most of these exons display polyadenylation signals and they a ll yield positive signals in RT-PCR experiments, confirming their status of transcribed sequences. The BDNF gene is now co-localised with three other genes on a 120 kb DNA fragment.