The chorionic gonadotropin α-subunit gene is on human chromosome 18 in JEG cells

The gene for the α subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been tentatively assigned to human chromosome 18. This localization was accomplished through the use of Southern blot analysis. A full-length cDNA probe for the hCG α subunit and DNA isolated from a series of somatic hybrids between mouse and human cells were utilized to make this assignment. In addition, in situ hybridization with normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes as a source of human chromosomes and with the same cDNA probe confirmed this result. The presence of human chromosome 18 was required for the detection of DNA fragments characteristic of the α-hCG gene. These results are consistent with our previous observation that human chromosomes 10 and 18 are required for the production of hCG in cultured cells.