Regional localization of the human integrin beta 6 gene (ITGB6) to chromosome 2q24-q31

The heterodimer alpha v beta 6 acts as a fibronectin receptor for human carcinoma cells. We report here the regional localization of the beta 6 gene to 2q24-q31 by fluorescence in situ hybridization coupled with GTG-banding. This gene is located close to the region to which genes coding for the alpha subunits of the integrins VLA-4 and vitronectin receptor (ITGA4 and ITGAV, respectively) have been previously mapped (2q31-q32). These data suggest a proximal position of the integrin beta 6 locus (ITGB6) on this integrin gene cluster. Furthermore, double-labeling in situ hybridization experiments performed with alpha 4 and alpha v probes indicated a telomeric position of ITGAV with respect to ITGA4.