Physical and meiotic mapping of the region of human chromosome 4q11-q13 encompassing the vitamin D binding protein DBP/Gc-globulin and albumin multigene cluster

• Published in: Genome research Vol. 9; no. 6; pp. 581 - 587
• Main Authors: Song, Y H, Naumova, A K, Liebhaber, S A, Cooke, N E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 01.06.1999
• Subjects: Albumins - genetics; alpha-Fetoproteins - genetics; Animals; Carrier Proteins; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 - genetics; Genetic Markers - genetics; Glycoproteins; Humans; Letter; Meiosis - genetics; Mice; Multigene Family - genetics; Physical Chromosome Mapping - methods; Rats; Serum Albumin - genetics; Serum Albumin, Human; Transcription, Genetic - genetics; Vitamin D-Binding Protein - genetics
• ISSN: 1088-9051; 1549-5469
• DOI: 10.1101/gr.9.6.581

The vitamin D binding protein/Gc-globulin (DBP) gene is a member of a multigene cluster that includes albumin (ALB), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and alpha-albumin/afamin (AFM). All four genes have structural and functional similarities and map to the same chromosomal regions in humans (4q11-q13), mice, and rats. An accurate physical map of the region encompassing these genes is a prerequisite for study of their respective transcriptional regulation and identification of potential shared regulatory elements. By refining the physical and meiotic maps of the 4q11-q13 region and creating a local PAC contig, the order and transcriptional orientations of these four genes were determined to be centromere-3'-DBP-5'-5'-ALB-3'-5'-AFP-3'-5'-AFM3'-telomere. The ancestral DBP gene was separated from the ALB gene by >1.5 Mb. This organization and spacing establishes a foundation for ongoing functional studies in this region.