Characterization of microsatellite markers adjacent to AP-4 on chromosome 16p13.3

The 1400 kb genomic sequence between the markers D16S406 and D16S423 on chromosome 16p13.3 has been recently sequenced and the interval contains a transcription factor, AP-4, that was identified as a ligand for immunoglobulin-kappa promoter E-box elements, suggesting that AP-4 may be related to immunodeficiency diseases. In addition, chromosome 16p13.3 includes a number of genes including the PKD1 gene, the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) gene. ADPKD is characterized by progressive development and enlargement of renal cysts. The size and genomic complexity of the PKD1 gene makes it impractical to detect mutations for prenatal diagnosis. Therefore, pedigree-based linkage analysis remains useful for diagnosis of ADPKD. To increase the number of polymorphic markers in the region around AP-4 gene, we performed database searches of 1400 kb of genomic sequence (from contig NT000677 to NT001573: http://www.ncbi.gov/genome/seq.cgi) across the 16p13.3. A number of dinucleotide or tetranucleotide repeats were found, and 20 microsatellites that contain more than 15 contiguous repeats were chosen for further investigation.