Comparative mapping of sheep chromosome 2q

Sheep chromosome 2q (OAR2q), which is homologous with human chromosome 2q (HSA2q), and cattle chromosome 2 (BTA2), is known to contain several loci contributing to carcass traits. However, the chromosomal rearrangements differentiating these chromosomes among the three species have not yet been determined and thus precise correspondences between the locations of sheep and human genes are not known. Twenty-six genes from HSA2q (2q21.1-->2q36) have been assigned to OAR2q by genetic linkage mapping to refine this area of the sheep genome. Seventy-six genes were initially selected from HSA2q. Sixty-eight percent of the PCR primer sets designed for these genes amplified successfully in sheep, and 34% amplified polymorphic products. Part of the proximal arm of OAR2q was found to be inverted compared with HSA2q. The breakpoint has been localised near the growth differentiation factor 8 gene (GDF8), spanning 380 kb between the positions of the hypothetical protein (FLJ20160) (HSA2:191008944-191075046) and glutaminase (GLS) (HSA2:191453847-191538510) (Build36.1).