Larkin D.M.*, Serov O.L., Zhdanova N.S.

Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia

Comparative mapping shows that syntenic gene group of human chromosome 17 (HSA17) is preserved in most mammalian species. Insectivores (including shrews) appear to be closer to the ancestral eutherian than other mammalian orders. That is why they are of especial interest for the study of mammalian genome evolution.

We tested a set of human, mice, and bovine PCR primers used for mapping of bovine homolog of HSA17 [1] in shrews. 3 of 20 tested primer pairs amplified single product of expected size. Besides, we have developed consensus PCR primers for GLUT4 basing on human and mice sequences, for THRA1 using human and porcine sequences. As the result, genes for NF1, MYL4, THRA1, GLUT4, and MPO were assigned to shrew chromosome hn (SARhn) using a set of shrew-mice somatic hybrids. PCR product of shrew THRA1 was partially sequenced and showed 95% homology with sheep and human THRA1 under NCBI BLAST program.

Results obtained confirm the homology between HSA17 and SARhn and correspond to Zoo-FISH analysis data [2]. Both the results indicate this syntenic group was presented in the ancestral mammalian founder karyotype.

References:

1. Yang Ya-Ping, Womack JE (1998) Genome Res 8, 731-736
2. Dixkens et al. (1998) Cytogenet Cell Genet 80, 60-67