Gene mapping by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

We describe a new method for the mapping of mammalian genes, utilizing in situ hybridization of mRNA to DNA of chromosomes. It involves the hydrogen bonding of the polyadenylic acid at the 3' end of hybridized mRNA to the polyuridylic acid tail of a highly fluorescent latex microsphere. The resultant double hybrid can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy. The chromosomal localization of human alpha + beta globin genes has been explored by this method. Our data point ot the long arms of chromosomes 4 and 5 as the loci for the human globin genes.