Abstract
Extensive sequence polymorphisms exist in the chromosome 10 alpha satellite DNA (the D10Z1 locus). Polymorphic morphs revealed by the enzymes PstI, EcoRV, and HincII, can be unambiguously scored and make this centromeric region an excellent genetic marker for the study of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2A (MEN2A), as well as for chromosome 10 linkage studies in general. Strong positive lod scores and linkage distance relationships between D10Z1 and DNA markers from the chromosome 10 pericentromeric region, especially FNRB and RBP3, known to be on either side of the centromere, provide independent support for mapping of all these loci.