Genetic analysis of the human Y chromosome by chromosome-mediated gene transfer

Chromosome-mediated gene transfer (CMGT) can be used to segregate fragments of human chromosomes in human-rodent hybrid cells. As with all somatic cell genetics methods, a selection technique is needed to isolate the hybrid cell lines produced by CMGT. Expression of the MIC2 gene product on the cell surface (the 12E7 antigen) provides an endogenous selectable marker for the human Y chromosome. Using chromosome transfer followed by separation of 12E7 antigen-positive cells on the fluorescence-activated cell sorter, a series of cell lines containing segregated fragments of the Y chromosome have been derived. The possibility of using these fragments to derive fine structural mapping data for the Y chromosome is considered in this review.