[Molecular approaches to the systematic mapping of the human genome]

Abstract

A review of current progress in human gene mapping methods is presented. The advantages and restrictions of several mapping methods are discussed. The main bulk of the review is concerned with perspectives of using special collection of "molecular-genetic markers" (MGM). These are cloned nucleotide sequences which allow to find population (and family) polymorphisms in three structural characteristics of homologous DNA fragments: in length, in regional chromosome location, in the number of local copies. Accordingly, three groups of MGM are analysed: (i) unique genome fragments, (ii) mobile dispersed genes and (iii) clustered DNA repeats. As the authors suggest, the second one has to be the most available tool for recognition of mother and father partners in all chromosome pairs. It is an important step to the progress in mapping not only monogenic traits but polygenic characters too, including multifactorial diseases in man.