A metric map of humans: 23,500 loci in 850 bands

Abstract

High-resolution maps integrated with the enhanced location data base software (LDB+) give improved estimates of genetic parameters and reveal characteristics of cytogenetic bands. Chiasma interference is intermediate between Kosambi and Carter-Falconer levels, as in Drosophila and the mouse. The autosomal genetic map is 2832 and 4348 centimorgans in males and females, respectively. Telomeric T-bands are strikingly associated with male recombination and gene density. Position and centromeric heterochromatin have large effects, but nontelomeric R-bands are not significantly different from G-bands. Several possible reasons are discussed. These regularities validate the maps, despite their high resolution and inevitable local errors. No other approach has been demonstrated to integrate such a large number of loci, which are increasing at about 45% per year. The maps and the data and software from which they are constructed are available through the Internet (http:@cedar.genetics.soton.ac.uk/public_html). Successive versions of this location data base may also be accessed on CD-ROM.

Figure 1

Mapped genes by year. During this time mapping standards and gene definitions have changed: 1979–1983, autosomal confirmed and provisional (1); 1985–1993, polymorphic genes and D segments (2); 1995, yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) sequence tagged sites (STS) content map (3).

Figure 2

Interference by recombination density.