Genetic Association between Chromosome 8 Microsatellite (MS8-134) and Werner Syndrome (WRN): Chromosome Microdissection and Homozygosity Mapping

Werner syndrome (WRN) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by premature aging that has been mapped to the short arm of chromosome 8, 8p11.2-p12. To refine the genetic map around the WRN region, we have isolated eight microsatellites for this region from a microdissection library. We typed members of Japanese families with WRN on the basis of homozygosity mapping analysis. There was no obligate recombination between the WRN locus and microsatellite clone, MS8-134 (D8S1055). The maximum lod score was 20.28 at theta = 0.00. Alleles for MS8-134 showed association with WRN in a case-control study (OR = 3.55, 95% CI 1.56-8.07, P < 0.01). Such microsatellites from a microdissection library of the definite chromosome region may be useful for positional cloning of the WRN gene.