A gene map of the Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy region in chromosome 11q12-q13.1

Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy is an autosomal dominant disorder of unknown causes. To identify the underlying gene defect the disease locus has been mapped to an 1.4-Mb region on chromosome 11q12-q13.1. As a prerequisite for its positional cloning we have assembled a high coverage PAC contig of the candidate region. Here, we report the construction of a primary transcript map that places a total of 19 genes within the Best's disease region. This includes 14 transcripts of as yet unknown function obtained by EST mapping and/or cDNA selection and five genes mapped previously to the interval (CD5, PGA, DDB1, FEN1, and FTH1). Northern blot analyses were performed to determine the expression profiles in various human tissues. At least three genes appear to be good candidates for Best's disease based on their abundant expression in retina or retinal pigment epithelium. Additional information on the functional properties of these genes, as well as mutation analyses in Best's disease patients, have to await their further characterization.