Characterization of mouse-hamster somatic cell hybrids by PCR: a panel of mouse-specific primers for each chromosome.

Mouse/hamster somatic cell hybrids form a valuable resource for mouse gene mapping. Characterization of these hybrids by isozyme analysis can be technically demanding and time-consuming. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), where a mouse gene but not its homolog in the hamster is amplified, can provide an alternative means of characterization. Mouse-specific primers have been designed for at least one gene on each of the mouse autosomes and the X Chromosome (Chr). Primers are chosen to correspond to untranslated regions of the mouse gene concerned, in order to decrease the chance of cross-hybridization with the homologous hamster gene. These primer sequences are presented, together with the conditions for their use.