The human tyrosine aminotransferase gene mapped to the long arm of chromosome 16 (region 16q22----q24) by somatic cell hybrid analysis and in situ hybridization.

Tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT; EC 2.6.1.5) is a liver enzyme involved in amino acid metabolism and gluconeogenesis. Low levels of TAT have been implicated in several inherited disorders, particularly tyrosinemia II (Richner-Hanhart syndrome). We have determined the chromosomal location of the human TAT gene by Southern blot hybridization analysis of DNAs from 18 human X rodent hybrid cell lines, using a rat cDNA probe. The results indicate that the TAT gene maps to chromosome 16. Analysis of two hybrids containing a rearranged chromosome 16 allowed assignment of the TAT locus to 16q22----24. In situ hybridization to human metaphase chromosomes confirmed this regional assignment.