Previously, we have reported that the inactivation of putative tumor-suppressor gene(s) on chromosome 5q21-22 may play an important role in the progression of lung cancer. Here, we describe the establishment of a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig that spans 8-10 Mb at the 5q21-22 region. Six cosmid contigs have also been established in this YAC contig. About 35 exon-like fragments have been detected by exon-amplification, direct screening, cross-species hybridization, and searches of a database. Thus far, 14 cDNAs have been isolated, and two of them coincide with known genes, viz., cysteine dioxygenase I and geranylgeranyltransferase I. The other 12 cDNAs are considered to be novel genes. Two of these novel cDNA show partial homology to known genes, viz., semaphorin CD100 and the 28S rRNA gene. In addition, four known genes, including APC (adenomatous polyposis coli), MCC (mutated in colorectal cancer), proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase FER, and genomic imprinted gene U2AF1-RS1, have also been mapped in this contig. This large contig and expression map should prove crucial in the identification of susceptibility gene(s) related to the progression of lung cancer.