Human luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone gene (LHRH) is located on short arm of chromosome 8 (region 8p11.2----p21)

Abstract

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) is synthesized by hypothalamic neurons and affects the release of gonadotropic hormones from the anterior pituitary gland. A cDNA clone encoding the human LHRH precursor molecule was used to assign the LHRH gene to a human chromosome by in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis. Metaphase spreads from two normal individuals were hybridized with 3H-labeled LHRH-specific sequence. Of 120 cells analyzed, 33 had silver grains over the p11.2----p21 bands of chromosome 8. No other chromosomal site was labeled above background, indicating the presence of a single site for LHRH sequences in the human genome. Independent confirmation for this location of the human LHRH gene on chromosome 8p was provided by analysis of DNA from human X Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids. DNA samples were digested with EcoRI, blotted, and hybridized with the 32P-labeled human LHRH precursor cDNA probe. The single 11.5-kb human-specific band was detected only in hybrids containing human chromosome 8. Also, hybridization was observed in DNA from hybrids in which a portion of human chromosome 8 (region 8pter----8q21) had been spontaneously translocated onto a Chinese hamster chromosome.