Gene assignment by quantitative hybridization analysis of somatic cell hybrids.

Since the inception of somatic cell hybridization technology, the number of genes mapped to a particular chromosome or region of a chromosome has increased exponentially. Conventional assignment relies on the interpretation and designation of concordance to the various panel members. Assignment of genes to individual chromosomes may be ambiguous if the representation of the individual chromosomes within the hybrid panel is not considered. To overcome this inherent limitation, we have developed a computer-assisted method to assign genes to chromosomes. This assignment utilizes an integrative statistical analysis procedure to reconcile chromosomal representation of each member of the somatic cell hybrid panel. In this manner, the intensity of the corresponding bands appearing on the autoradiographic image reflects the prevalence of that specific gene-containing chromosome within the somatic cell hybrid. The statistical method described above provides the foundation for an independent means to assign genes to a specific chromosome. We have utilized this method to assign the human lysyl oxidase gene to chromosome 5.