Chromosomal localization of gene for human glutamate receptor subunit-7

Abstract
We isolated a human glutamate receptor subunit 7 (GluR-7) cosmid after high stringency screening of a human genomic placental library using a rat GluR-7 cDNA as a probe. A 614-bp fragment of the GluR-7 cosmid was sequenced, and an exon that encodes 53 amino acids was found between two introns. The exon exhibited 89% and 96% identity at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, with the corresponding region of rat GluR-7. The human GluR-7 was classified as a kainate subtype glutamate receptor based on its homology to rat GluR-7. Using somatic cell hybrid analysis, human GluR-7 was localized to chromosome 1. Fine mapping analysis using FISH localized the gene to 1p33–34. Since glutamate receptors of the kainate subtype have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, establishing the precise map position of human GluR-7 subunit is an important step towards evaluating this locus as a candidate for mutations in neurodegenerative disorders.