A sequence-ready physical map of the region containing the human natural killer gene complex on chromosome 12p12.3-p13.2

We developed a sequence-ready physical map of a part of human chromosome 12 p12.3-p13.2 where the natural killer gene complex (NKC) is located. The NRC includes a cluster of genes with structure similar to that of the Ca2+-dep endent lectin superfamily of glycoproteins that are expressed on the surfac e of most natural killer (NK) cells and a subset of T cells. These killer c ell lectin-like receptors (KLR) are involved in NK target cell recognition, leading to activation or inhibition of NK cell function. We used a number of sequence-tagged site (STS) markers from this region to screen two large insert bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries and a bacteriophage P1-derived (PAC) chromosome library. The clones were assembled into contigu ous sets by STS content analysis. The 72-BAC and 11-PAC contig covers nearl y 2 Mb of DNA and provides an average marker resolution of 26 kb, We have p recisely localized 17 genes, 5 expressed sequence tags, and 49 STSs within this contig. Of this total number of STS, 30 are newly developed by clone-e nd sequencing. We established the order of the genes as tel-M6PR-MAFAL (HGM W-approved symbol KLRG1)-A2M-PZP-A2MP-NKRP1A (HG;MW-approved symbol KLRB1)- CD69-AICL (HGMW-approved symbol CLECSF2)-KLRF1-OLR1-CD94 (HGMW-approved sym bol KLRD1)-NKG2D (HGMW-approved symbol D12S2489E)-PGFL-NKG2F (HGMW-approved symbol KLRC4)-NKG2E (HGMW-approved symbol KLRC1)-LY49L (HGMW-approved symb ol KLRC1)-LY49L (HGMW-approved symbol KLRA1)-cen. This map would facilitate the cloning of new KLR genes and the complete sequencing of this region. ( C) 2000 Academic Press.