GM1 gangliosidosis and Morquio syndrome type B (MPS IVB) are inherited lyosomal storage disorders associated with deficiency of beta-galactosidase-A (beta GALA) activity. A recombinant plasmid containing a biotinylated cDNA (2.4-kb insert) encoding human beta GALA was used to localize the enzyme locus by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The human beta GALA gene was assigned to 3p21.33 by FISH.