Genetic mapping of the mouse stromal cell-derived factor gene (Sdf1) to mouse and rat chromosomes

Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) is a new member of the Cys-X-Cys chemokine family. The chromosomal location of Sdf1, the gene coding mouse SDF1, was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular linkage analysis. The mouse Sdf1 gene was localized to the R-band-positive F1 band of chromosome 6 by direct R-banding FISH. Interspecific backcross analysis identified the mouse Sdf1 gene locus at 0.8 cM terminal to D6Nit55 and 3.0 cM proximal to D6Mit12. With in situ hybridization using a mouse cDNA clone as a probe, the rat Sdf1 gene was localized to the R-band-positive band 4q42.1, where conserved linkage homology to mouse chromosome 6 has been identified. Although other Cys-X-Cys chemokine genes have been mapped on human chromosome 4, the chromosomal segment where the mouse and rat Sdf1 gene reside have no conserved linkage homology to human chromosome 4. This result suggests that SDF1 is a new chemokine class.