A novel human phosphoglucomutase (PGM5) maps to the centromeric region of chromosome 9.

The phosphoglucomutases (PGM1-3) in humans are encoded by three genes, PGM1, PGM2, and PGM3. These enzymes are central to carbohydrate metabolism. All three isozymes show genetic variation, and PGM1 has achieved prominence as a key marker in genetic linkage mapping and in forensic science. The human PGM genes are assumed to have arisen by gene duplication since their products are broadly similar in structure and function; however, direct proof of their evolutionary relationship is not available because only PGM1 has been cloned. During a search for other members of the PGM family, a novel sequence with homology to PGM1 was identified. Mapping using fluorescence in situ hybridization and somatic cell hybrids locates this gene to the centromeric region of chromosome 9. RT-PCR and Northern analysis indicate that this is an expressed PGM gene with widespread distribution in adult and fetal tissues. We propose that this gene be designated PGM5 and that it represents a novel member of the PGM family.