A mapping study of 13 genes on human chromosome bands 4q11-->q25.

A chromosome band 4q21 gene (MLLT2, formerly called AF-4/FEL) involved in a reciprocal translocation with chromosome band 11q23 in t(4;11) acute leukemia has been cloned. To provide better definition of gene order and relationships in this region where MLLT2 resides, we used pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to investigate 13 genes (including MLLT2) with physical locations in bands 4q11-->q25. Somatic cell hybrids derived from RS4;11, a leukemic cell line carrying the t(4;11)(q21;q23), were also used to localize genes in relation to MLLT2. Linkage of the interleukin 8 (IL8), albumin (ALB), and platelet factor 4 (PF4) genes was confirmed by NotI, SalI and SacII digests. The maximum distance between PF4 and ALB is 210 kb and between ALB and IL8 is 420 kb. The alcohol dehydrogenase, class I (ADH2, ADH3) gene cluster can be linked to the alcohol dehydrogenase, class III gene (ADH5) by SacII, NruI, and EagI digests. The maximum distance between them is 590 kb. Our study indicated that ALB, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), PF4, beta-thromboglobulin (PPBP), GRO1 (encoding a cytokine also called melanoma growth-stimulatory activity), and IL8 genes can be physically linked. In this study the gamma-interferon induced protein 10 (INP10), bone morphogenetic protein 3 (BMP3), annexin III (ANX3), KIT, amphiregulin (AREG), immunoglobulin J polypeptide (IGJ), deoxycytidine kinase (DCK) and MLLT2 genes were not linked to one another or to the above two groups of genes. Our analysis using somatic cell hybrids combined with previous reports demonstrated that the ADH gene cluster is telomeric to MLLT2 and KIT, ALB, AFP, PF4, beta TG, GRO1, IL8, ANX3, AREG and DCK are centromeric to MLLT2.