Construction of a 350-kb sequence-ready 11q13 cosmid contig encompassing the markers D11S4933 and D11S546: mapping of 11 genes and 3 tumor-associated translocation breakpoints.

Previously, we located three novel human tumor-associated translocation breakpoints in the chromosome 11q13 region between the markers D11S4933 and D11S546. To facilitate the molecular analysis of these breakpoints, we have constructed a continuous sequence-ready cosmid and PAC contig of approximately 350 kb, including the markers D11S4933 and D11S546. In addition, a detailed transcript map was generated. This resulted in the precise positioning of 11 genes and ESTs within the contig, including 4 genes already known to map in the 11q13 region. Three other genes that we positioned within the contig showed homologies to unmapped genes from human and/or other species. Three ESTs were novel. Partial cosmid sequencing resulted in the establishment of the direction of transcription of several of the reported genes. This contig will be instrumental for the detailed characterization of the tumor-associated chromosomal breakpoints and the identification of other 11q13-associated disease genes.