Rearrangement of genes located on homologous chromosomal segments in mouse and man: the location of genes for alpha- and beta-interferon, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein-1 and -2, and aminolevulinate dehydratase on mouse chromosome 4.

Gene mapping studies to determine the order of alpha- and beta-interferon (Ifa, Ifb), aminolevulinate dehydratase (Lv), and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein-1 and -2 (Orm-1, Orm-2) relative to each other and to the reference genes brown (b), B-cell maturation factor responsiveness (Bmfr-1), and major urinary protein-1 (Mup-1) are reported. The most likely order was Mup-1--Lv--b--Orm-1, Orm-2--Ifa, Ifb--Bmfr-1. This order suggested that two chromosomal segments located on chromosome 4 in the mouse and chromosome 9 in man have been conserved since divergence of lineages leading to man and mouse; these segments are marked by soluble aconitase-1 (Aco-1) and galactose-1 phosphate uridyl transferase (Galt) and by Lv and Orm-1. This order also demonstrated that, although genes located on opposite arms of chromosome 9 in man remain syntenic in the mouse, gene order has not been conserved; Ifa and Ifb are not located in their expected locations near Aco-1 and Galt. The position of Ifa and Ifb between Orm-1 and Bmfr-1 could not be determined with certainty because of apparent heterogeneity in recombination frequencies between crosses involving conventional laboratory strains of mice and crosses involving interspecific matings between laboratory mice and Mus spretus. This result suggests that caution must be exercised when using M. spretus in linkage crosses.