Chromosomal localization of the interferon-inducible human gene encoding mRNA 561

Treatment of human cells with interferon-alpha transiently increases the rate of transcription of mRNA 561, which encodes a 56-kD protein of unknown function. Using a cDNA probe specific for this mRNA, we determined the chromosomal localization of the corresponding gene. Southern blot analyses of genomic DNA samples isolated from 19 independent mouse-human and hamster-human cell hybrids, each of which contained all rodent chromosomes and several human chromosomes, indicated that this gene is located on human chromosome 10. The same conclusion was drawn independently from studies using in situ hybridization of the probe to human metaphase chromosomes. Furthermore, the latter approach enabled us to conclude that the gene is situated most likely at the junction of 10q25-q26.