Identification and chromosomal mapping of a third mouse runt-like locus

The Drosophila runt gene, which controls early events in embryogenesis, has been shown to have homologues in human and mouse. The human gene on 21q22 is involved in the t(8;21) associated with acute myeloid leukemia. Two mouse runt-like loci encoding DNA-binding proteins have been identified. We report here the isolation and partial sequence of a molecular clone of a third mouse runt-like locus. By using a panel of somatic cell hybrids and interspecific backcross mice, we map the novel locus to the telomeric region of mouse chromosome 4.