Chromosomal mapping of the human and murine orphan receptors ERR alpha (ESRRA) and ERR beta (ESRRB) and identification of a novel human ERR alpha-related pseudogene

The estrogen-related receptors ERR alpha and ERR beta (formerly ERR1 and ERRS) form a subgroup of the steroid/thyroid/retinoid receptor family. ERR alpha and ERR beta are homologous to the estrogen receptor and bind similar DNA targets; however, they are unable to activate gene transcription in response to estrogens. We have used interspecific backcross analysis to map the murine Estrra locus to chromosome 19 and Estrrb to mouse chromosome 12. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we have mapped the human ESRRA gene to chromosome 11q12-q13 and the human ESRRB gene to chromosome 14q24.3. In addition, we report the isolation of a processed human ERR alpha pseudogene mapping to chromosome 13q12.1. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of a pseudogene associated with a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. (C) 1997 Academic Press.