A PCR-based linkage map of human chromosome 1

A genetic linkage map of human chromosome 1 based entirely on PCR-typable markers has been developed using 38 simple sequence repeat (SSR) polymorphisms. These SSRs include 36 dinucleotide repeats and 2 tetranucleotide repeats. The average heterozygosity at these markers was 0.73 and ranged from 0.52 to 0.95. Multipoint linkage analysis was used to develop a map of these 38 markers in which the relative placement of each locus is supported by likelihood odds > 1000:1. This PCR-based map was anchored at the centromere by the D1Z5 alpha-satellite polymorphism, and the ends of the map were defined by D1Z2 and D1S68, which are the most distal loci in the CEPH consortium map of chromosome 1. The sex-averaged, male, and female maps extend for 328, 273, and 409 cM, respectively. The average distance between markers on the sex-averaged map is 8 cM, and the largest interval is 32 cM. This map of highly informative PCR-based markers will provide a rapid means of screening human chromosome 1 for the presence of disease genes.