Linkage of genes for human esterase D and hereditary retinoblastoma

Determinations of esterase D isoenzymes in the members of a family with hereditary retinoblastoma gave results consistent with linkage between the loci for esterase D and retinoblastoma. This gene linkage allows the detection of gene carrier states in certain kindreds. We used this technique to predict that a 6-month-old boy carries the tumor-predisposing retinoblastoma gene.