The chromosomal distribution of repetitive DNA sequences within the human β globin gene cluster.

The chromosomal distribution and degree of repetitiveness of the sequences within the human β globin gene cluster has been studied by in situ hybridisation. A genomic recombinant, H\G1, which contains 15.9 thousand base pairs (kb) of DNA inserted into λ charon 4A, was used as a template for the [H] complementary RNA used for hybridisation. The inserted DNA contains sequences 4.7 kb to the 5′ side of the δ gene and continues through the δ and β genes to a site 2.8 kb to the 3′ side of the β gene. Two highly repetitive sequences, which are distributed evenly over all the chromosomes, have been identified within this DNA. Another somewhat less repetitive sequence has been identified between the β and δ genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]