Region-specific microdissection library and single-copy microclones for human chromosome 2p11-p13.

We report the construction and characterization of a region-specific microdissection library for human chromosome 2p11-p13. This library (designated 2P4 library) is large, comprising 600,000 recombinant microclones. Thirty to 40% of the clones contain unique sequences. The insert sizes range from 100 to 800 bp, with a mean of 380 bp. A subset of the microclones was selected, based on their weak or no hybridization to total human DNA, for further analysis. Of 50 single-copy microclones analyzed, 35 clones (70%) were derived from human and are chromosome 2-specific. The insert sizes and the hybridizing genomic HindIII fragments of these clones were also determined. The 2P4 microdissection library and the single-copy microclones from the library are useful in preparing STS (sequence-tagged site) to isolate corresponding YAC (yeast artificial chromosome) or other clones with large inserts and for isolating region-specific cDNA clones as candidate genes for cloning disease-related genes assigned to this region.