DNA linkage analysis of X chromosome-linked chronic granulomatous disease.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a disorder of phagocytes that is usually inherited as an X chromosome-linked trait. Previous family studies suggested that the CGD locus resides on the distal short arm (Xp22-Xpter). Using cloned, polymorphic DNA probes we have performed a linkage analysis within CGD families that suggests a more proximal location (Xp21). In addition, the CGD locus is proximal to the Duchenne muscular dystrophy locus and lies within a broad region of Xp in which recombination appears to be greater than anticipated on the basis of physical distance between markers. Regional localization of the X chromosome CGD locus should facilitate molecular cloning of the CGD gene and molecular dissection of the phagocyte oxidase system.