The CMT2D locus: refined genetic position and construction of a bacterial clone-based physical map

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a progressive neuropathy of the peripheral nervous system, typically characterized by muscle weakness of the distal limbs. CMT is noted for its genetic heterogeneity, with four distinct loci already identified for the axonal form of the disease (CMT2). In 1996, linkage analysis of a single large family revealed the presence of a CMT2 locus on chromosome 7p14 (designated CMT2D). Additional families have been linked subsequently to the same genomic region, including one with distal spinal muscular atrophy (dSMA) and one with mixed features of dSMA and CMT2; symptoms in both of these latter families closely resemble those seen in the original CMT2D family. There is thus a distinct possibility that CMT2 and dSMA encountered in these families reflect allelic heterogeneity at a single chromosome 7 locus. In the study reported here, we have performed more detailed linkage analysis of the original CMT2D family based on new knowledge of the physical locations of various genetic markers. The region containing the CMT2D gene, as defined by the original family, overlaps with those defined by at least two other families with CMT2 and/or dSMA symptoms. Both yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) and bacterial clone-based [bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC)] contig maps spanning approximately 3.4 Mb have been assembled across the combined CMT2D critical region, with the latter providing suitable clones for systematic sequencing of the interval. Preliminary analyses have already revealed at least 28 candidate genes and expressed-sequence tags (ESTs). The mapping information reported here in conjunction with the evolving sequence data should expedite the identification of the CMT2D/dSMA gene or genes.