Linkage and gene localization of hereditary spherocytosis (HS)

Fifteen kindreds with dominant hereditary spherocytosis (HS) were studied. Expansion of the data from a family with an 8/12 translocation provided further evidence that at least one locus for HS is located near the breakpoint of the translocation. Linkage analysis of all families showed a lack of linkage with all marker loci studied except for Gm (IgG). Linkage between Gm and HS was shown to be significant with a maximum lod score of 3.42 at a recombination fraction of 22%. No heterogeneity of the recombination fraction was observed either between sexes or between families. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that HS is not a heterogeneous disorder.