The human homolog of Sex comb on midleg (SCMH1) maps to chromosome 1p34

Polycomb group genes were originally identified in Drosophila as repressors required to maintain the silenced state of homeotic loci. About ten Polyco mb group genes have been cloned in Drosophila, and mammalian homologs have been identified for most of these. Here, we isolate cDNAs encoding two isof orms of a human homolog of Drosophila Sex comb on midleg (Scm), named Sex c omb on midleg homolog-1 (SCMH1). Overall, SCMH1 has 94% identity to its mou se counterpart Scmh1, and 41% identity to Scm, and contains two 1(3)mbt dom ains, and the SPM domain that are characteristic of Scm. SCMH1 is widely ex pressed in adult tissues, and maps to chromosome 1p34. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.