The ability to rapidly assign cloned murine sequences to their chromosomal location would greatly facilitate the correlation of cloned sequences to the large number of genetic loci which have been identified in the mouse. The methods currently available for mapping murine sequences, such as hybridization to DNA from mouse/hamster somatic cell hybrids, use of restriction fragment length polymorphisms in recombinant inbred strains of mice or hybridization in situ to murine chromosomes, are either not generally available or are too labor=intensive to be useful as general screening techniques. Dr. Villa-Komaroff will immortalize lymphocytes from 19 strains of mice containing Robertsonian chromosomes using retroviruses containing the T antigen from SV40 virus. A Robertsonian (Rb) chromosome is a stable, centromeric fusion between two normal telecentric (chevron shaped) chromosomes, creating a single, metacentric (X- shaped) chromosome. The large Robertsonian chromosome in each line will be separated from the rest of the mouse chromosomes using high resolution, dual-laser sorter (FACS) and blotted to nylon filters. This panel will allow the rapid mapping of sequences involved in the development or function of the nervous system and will greatly facilitate the study of mouse mutants at the molecular level.
