Chromosome 4 News and Research

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Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell, divided into 23 pairs. Two copies of chromosome 4, one copy inherited from each parent, form one of the pairs. Chromosome 4 spans more than 191 million DNA building blocks (base pairs) and represents more than 6 percent of the total DNA in cells.

Identifying genes on each chromosome is an active area of genetic research. Because researchers use different approaches to predict the number of genes on each chromosome, the estimated number of genes varies. Chromosome 4 likely contains between 1,300 and 1,600 genes.

Genes on chromosome 4 are among the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 total genes in the human genome.

Gene variant discovery could lead to future glaucoma treatments

An international team, led by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the National Eye Institute, has discovered gene variants for glaucoma in a black population. The finding could lead to future treatments or a cure for this disease, which leads to blindness in two million Americans each year.

22 Sep 2009

Alcoholism may be dependent on IL-1 polymorphisms: Study

Cytokines are small proteins secreted by cells that serve as molecular messengers between cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokines - which function in the immune system - may be involved in alcohol dependence (AD). A study of three polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 gene complex (IL-1) and one of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) has found that IL-1 may directly contribute to AD among Spanish Caucasian males.

21 Sep 2009

Researchers study the role of stem cells in development of liver cancer

Penn State College of Medicine researchers, in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Southern California, have taken an important step in understanding the role of stem cells in development of liver cancer.

18 Sep 2009

NIH to fund grants for epigenetic research

The National Institutes of Health announced today that it will fund 22 grants on genome-wide studies of how epigenetic changes -- chemical modifications to genes that result from diet, aging, stress, or environmental exposures -- define and contribute to specific human diseases and biological processes.

17 Sep 2009

Link between a key molecular player and human chromosomal birth defects established

Using yeast genetics and a novel scheme to selectively remove a single protein from the cell division process called meiosis, a cell biologist at The Florida State University found that when a key molecular player known as Pds5 goes missing, chromosomes fail to segregate and pair up properly, and birth defects such as Down syndrome can result.

17 Sep 2009

Wisconsin researchers identify the genetic region responsible for cardiovascular collapse during anesthesia

Researchers at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have identified the genetic region in rats responsible for cardiovascular collapse during anesthesia. While it is well known that people have different cardiovascular sensitivity to anesthesia causing some to collapse even when low doses are administered, the mechanism responsible for this susceptibility is not clear.

11 Sep 2009

Research reveals genetic conversation between X and Y chromosomes

In the week that the University of Leicester celebrates the 25th anniversary of the discovery of DNA fingerprinting (Thursday September 10) new findings from the world-renowned University of Leicester Department of Genetics reveal for the first time that the male and female do truly communicate -at least at the fundamental genetic level.

10 Sep 2009

Two more genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease discovered

An international team of scientists has identified two more genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. The findings are reported in the online edition of the journal Nature Genetics.

7 Sep 2009

Y chromosome may be responsible for a range of sex disorders

The unique mechanism behind the evolutionary survival of the human Y chromosome may also be responsible for a range of sex disorders, from failed sperm production to sex reversal to Turner Syndrome.

3 Sep 2009

New study on behaviour of telomeres during cell division in cancerous human cells

A process that limits the number of times a cell divides works much differently than had been thought, opening the door to potential new anticancer therapies, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center report in the Aug. 7 issue of the journal Cell.

2 Sep 2009

Research reveals that large non-coding RNA in mammals play an important role in telomere maintenance

A team of researchers from The Wistar Institute have shown that a large non-coding RNA in mammals and yeast plays a central role in helping maintain telomeres, the tips of chromosomes that contain important genetic information and help regulate cell division. Since this RNA also facilitates the formation of DNA at telomeres-a process that can protect aging cells and destabilize tumor cells-manipulating its expression may be useful in treating cancer and other diseases.

1 Sep 2009

ChromoCure releases development plan for CS300 Chromosomal Scanner

ChromoCure, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: KKUR) released today its development plan for its next generation of chromosomal scanners. The new system has been given the name "CS300" as the next iteration of its current CS200 Chromosomal Scanner design.

1 Sep 2009

Study provides insights into genes that help maintain youthfulness of the skin

In the new print issue of Nature Genetics, scientists in Singapore and Germany report that mutations in the PYCR1 gene cause the rare genetic condition that results in premature skin aging and that is known as "wrinkly skin syndrome."

1 Sep 2009

Genetic variants on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children

Genetic variants in a region on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children, according to research published in the August 28 issue of the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

28 Aug 2009

Research study associates KIAA0319 gene on Chromosome 6 with variability in language abilities

A new candidate gene for Specific Language Impairment (SLI) has been identified by a research team directed by Mabel Rice from the University of Kansas, in collaboration with Shelley Smith, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Javier Gayán of Neocodex, Seville, Spain.

28 Aug 2009

HLA-Cw*0602 gene variation detected as a high risk for psoriasis

A specific genetic region that has been increasingly identified as the strongest genetic link to psoriasis has an even more significant role in the chronic skin disease than has been suspected, University of Utah medical researchers show in a new study.

27 Aug 2009

Mutations of gene regulators can result in growth disorders

A specific gene is particularly frequently involved in the development of short stature. Researchers in Heidelberg have now discovered that sequences of genetic material on the X and Y chromosome that regulate this gene are also crucial for growth in children.

26 Aug 2009

Researchers identify causative gene for features of 2q32q33 microdeletion syndrome

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24 Aug 2009

Inc. magazine ranks Signature Genomic Laboratories no.1012 on its fastest-growing private companies ranking list

Inc. magazine ranked Signature Genomic Laboratories no. 1012 on its third annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The company, which performs microarray-based diagnostic genetic testing of chromosome abnormalities in individuals with unexplained mental retardation and/or birth defects, experienced three-year sales growth of 302.9%, more than twice that of the Inc. 5000 industry median and over 12 times the industry benchmark. Signature was also ranked 70th of companies in the healthcare sector.

21 Aug 2009

More evidence that genes increase a smokers' risk of lung cancer

Cancer Research UK funded scientists have confirmed that inherited changes in certain regions of the genome can increase a smokers' risk of developing lung cancer lung cancer, and determine the type of lung cancer that develops. Their results were published in this week's edition of the journal Cancer Research*.

21 Aug 2009

Chromosome 4 News and Research

Further Reading

Gene variant discovery could lead to future glaucoma treatments

Alcoholism may be dependent on IL-1 polymorphisms: Study

Researchers study the role of stem cells in development of liver cancer

NIH to fund grants for epigenetic research

Link between a key molecular player and human chromosomal birth defects established

Wisconsin researchers identify the genetic region responsible for cardiovascular collapse during anesthesia

Research reveals genetic conversation between X and Y chromosomes

Two more genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease discovered

Y chromosome may be responsible for a range of sex disorders

New study on behaviour of telomeres during cell division in cancerous human cells

Research reveals that large non-coding RNA in mammals play an important role in telomere maintenance

ChromoCure releases development plan for CS300 Chromosomal Scanner

Study provides insights into genes that help maintain youthfulness of the skin

Genetic variants on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children

Research study associates KIAA0319 gene on Chromosome 6 with variability in language abilities

HLA-Cw*0602 gene variation detected as a high risk for psoriasis

Mutations of gene regulators can result in growth disorders

Researchers identify causative gene for features of 2q32q33 microdeletion syndrome

Inc. magazine ranks Signature Genomic Laboratories no.1012 on its fastest-growing private companies ranking list

More evidence that genes increase a smokers' risk of lung cancer

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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