We have constructed a linkage map of 14 short tandem repeat polymorphi
sms (11 with heterozygosity > 70%) on the long arm of human chromosome
22 using 23 non-CEPH pedigrees. Twelve of the markers could be positi
oned uniquely with a likelihood of at least 1,000:1, and distributed a
t an average distance of 6.62 cM (range 1.5-16.1 cM). The sex-combined
map covers a total of 79.6 cM, the female map 93.2 cM and the male ma
p 64.6 cM. Based on comparisons between physical maps and other geneti
c maps, we estimate that our map covers 70%-80% of the chromosome. The
map integrates markers from previous genetic maps and uniquely positi
ons one marker (D22S307). Data from physical mapping on the location o
f four genetic markers correlates well with our linkage map, and provi
des information on an additional marker (D22S315). This map will facil
itate high resolution mapping of additional polymorphic loci and disea
se genes on chromosome 22, and act as a reference for building and ver
ifying physical maps.