An expressed beta-tubulin gene (TUBB) has previously
been localized to chromosome region 6pter-p21
in man. By using a panel of deletion mutant cell lines and
radiation-reduced hybrids containing fragments of chromosome
6, the TUBB locus could be mapped to the HLA
class I region at 6p21.3. A long range restriction map including
TUBB and several HLA class I genes was then
generated by rotating field gel electrophoresis. The results
show that TUBB maps to a segment 170-370 kb telomeric
of HLA-C. This location suggests that a mutation at the
TUBB locus could be the cause for certain forms of HLAlinked
microtubule dysfunction, including immotile cilia
syndrome
