An exclusion map for facioscapulohumeral (Landouzy-Déjérine) disease

By using the genetic linkage data between the facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) gene and 57 markers on various autosomes, we have constructed an exclusion map for this disorder. The maximum likelihood location of the FSHD gene and the percentage of the excluded areas on each chromosome are presented here. This exclusion map shows that more than 80% of the genome has been excluded as a likely location of any locus responsible for FSHD in the majority of families. Chromosomes 3, 5, 10, 11, 15, and 19 remain largely unexcluded. Concentration on the highlighted areas of the genome should facilitate the identification of the site of the FSHD gene.