Mutagenic transgene insertion into a region of high gene density and multiple linkage disruptions on mouse chromosome 11.

ABSTRACT

We have characterized a 185-kb contig surrounding a transgene on distal mouse chromosome 11, the insertion of which has caused a recessive phenotype with skeletal malformations. By cDNA selection and sequencing we have found six genes (Lasp1, Rpl23, Mllt6, Pip5k2b, Psmb3, Zfp144), one truncated gene (Mel13), and one pseudogene (Rps15-ps) within this region. The murine Mllt6 gene is new, it was identified by its high homology (90% identity) with the human homologue MLLT6. Psmb3 and Pip5k2b had not yet been assigned to mouse chromosomes. A comparison with the corresponding region on human chromosome 17q12 revealed several small-scale rearrangements during evolutionary divergence within this cluster of densely packed genes.