Assignment¹ of the telomere-repeat binding factor genes <i>TERF1</i> and <i>TERF2</i> to Chinese muntjac (2n = 46) chromosome bands 12q3 and 2q33 by in situ hybridization

The TERF1 and TERF2 genes encode the telomere-repeat binding factors TRF1 and TRF2 that play a key role in maintenance and protection of chromosome ends (de Lange, 2002). The genus Muntiacus is characterized by drastic chromosomal rearrangements such as tandem and centric fusions (Hsu et al., 1975; Shi et al., 1980). While some muntjac species display extremely low chromosome numbers (down to 2n = 6 in the Indian muntjac; Scherthan, 2003), the Chinese muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) exhibits a chromosome number of 2n = 46 (Wurster and Benirschke, 1967). In search for a potential role of TRF1 and TRF2 in muntjac karyotypic evolution, we isolated and mapped the Chinese muntjac TERF1 and TERF2 genes.