 | ||
Reviewed May 2009
What is chromosome 14?
Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell, divided into 23 pairs. Two copies of chromosome 14, one copy inherited from each parent, form one of the pairs. Chromosome 14 spans more than 107 million DNA building blocks (base pairs) and represents about 3.5 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 14 likely contains 800 to 900 genes that provide instructions for making proteins. These proteins perform a variety of different roles in the body.
Genes on chromosome 14 are among the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 total genes in the human genome.
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 14 likely contains 800 to 900 genes that provide instructions for making proteins. These proteins perform a variety of different roles in the body.
Genes on chromosome 14 are among the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 total genes in the human genome.
How are changes in chromosome 14 related to health conditions?
Many genetic conditions are related to changes in particular genes on chromosome 14. This list of disorders associated with genes on chromosome 14 provides links to additional information.
Changes in the structure or number of copies of a chromosome can also cause problems with health and development. The following chromosomal conditions are associated with such changes in chromosome 14.
Changes in the structure or number of copies of a chromosome can also cause problems with health and development. The following chromosomal conditions are associated with such changes in chromosome 14.
- cancers
- Rearrangements (translocations) of genetic material between chromosome 14 and other chromosomes have been associated with several types of cancer. These chromosome abnormalities are somatic, which means they are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in certain cells. Studies show that these translocations disrupt genes that are critical for keeping cell growth and division under control. Unregulated cell division can lead to the development of cancer. Translocations involving chromosome 14 have been found in cancers of blood-forming cells (leukemias), cancers of immune system cells (lymphomas), and several related diseases. For example, Burkitt lymphoma, a cancer of white blood cells that occurs most often in children and young adults, is related to a translocation between chromosomes 8 and 14. Another type of lymphoma, called follicular lymphoma, is often associated with a translocation between chromosomes 14 and 18. In a cancer of white blood cells called multiple myeloma, the presence of a translocation between chromosomes 4 and 14 is associated with a more aggressive form of the disease.
- ring chromosome 14 syndrome
- Ring chromosome 14 syndrome is caused by a chromosomal abnormality known as a ring chromosome 14 or r(14). A ring chromosome is a circular structure that occurs when a chromosome breaks in two places and its broken ends fuse together. People with ring chromosome 14 syndrome have one copy of this abnormal chromosome in some or all of their cells. Researchers believe that several critical genes near the end of the long (q) arm of chromosome 14 are lost when the ring chromosome forms. The loss of these genes is likely responsible for several of the major features of ring chromosome 14 syndrome, including intellectual disability and delayed development. Researchers are still working to determine which missing genes contribute to the signs and symptoms of this disorder. Epilepsy is a common feature of ring chromosome syndromes, including ring chromosome 14. There may be something about the ring structure itself that causes epilepsy. Seizures may occur because certain genes on the ring chromosome 14 are less active than those on the normal chromosome 14. Alternately, seizures might result from instability of the ring chromosome in some cells.
- other chromosomal conditions
- A rare condition known as terminal deletion 14 syndrome causes signs and symptoms similar to those of ring chromosome 14 syndrome. Terminal deletion 14 syndrome is caused by the loss of several genes at the end (terminus) of the long (q) arm of chromosome 14. In addition, some people with terminal deletion 14 syndrome have a loss or gain of genetic material from another chromosome. People with this condition may have weak muscle tone (hypotonia), a small head (microcephaly), frequent respiratory infections, developmental delay, and learning difficulties. Other changes in the number or structure of chromosome 14 can have a variety of effects, including delayed growth and development, distinctive facial features, and other health problems. Several different changes involving chromosome 14 have been reported. These include an extra copy of a segment of chromosome 14 in every cell (partial trisomy 14), an extra copy of the entire chromosome in only some of the body's cells (mosaic trisomy 14), and deletions or duplications of part of chromosome 14. Full trisomy 14, an extra copy of the entire chromosome 14 in all of the body's cells, is not compatible with life. Health problems can also result from a chromosome abnormality called uniparental disomy (UPD). UPD occurs when people inherit both copies of a chromosome from one parent instead of one copy from each parent. The long arm of chromosome 14 contains some genes that are active only when inherited from the mother, and other genes that are active only when inherited from the father. Therefore, people who have two paternal copies or two maternal copies of chromosome 14 are missing some functional genes and have an extra copy of others. When both copies of chromosome 14 are inherited from the mother, the phenomenon is known as maternal UPD 14. Maternal UPD 14 is associated with premature birth, slow growth before and after birth, short stature, developmental delay, small hands and feet, and early onset of puberty. When both copies of the chromosome are inherited from the father, the phenomenon is known as paternal UPD 14. Paternal UPD 14 is associated with an excess of amniotic fluid (which surrounds the baby before birth); an opening in the wall of the abdomen; distinctive facial features; a small, bell-shaped chest with short ribs; and developmental delay. Both maternal UPD 14 and paternal UPD 14 appear to be rare.
Is there a standard way to diagram chromosome 14?
Geneticists use diagrams called ideograms as a standard representation for chromosomes. Ideograms show a chromosome's relative size and its banding pattern. A banding pattern is the characteristic pattern of dark and light bands that appears when a chromosome is stained with a chemical solution and then viewed under a microscope. These bands are used to describe the location of genes on each chromosome.
See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? in the Handbook.
Where can I find additional information about chromosome 14?
You may find the following resources about chromosome 14 helpful. These materials are written for the general public.
- Additional NIH Resources - National Institutes of Health (3 links)
- Educational resources - Information pages (2 links)
- MedlinePlus - Health information
- Research Resources - Tools for researchers (7 links)
PubMed - Recent literature- Map
Viewer - Genetic maps
Where can I find general information about chromosomes?
The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.
- What is DNA?
- What is a chromosome?
- How many chromosomes do people have?
- Can changes in chromosomes affect health and development?
What glossary definitions help with understanding chromosome 14?
cancer ;cell ;cell division ;chromosome ;deletion ;developmental delay ;DNA ;hypotonia ;immune system ;imprinting ;lymphoma ;maternal ;microcephaly ;mosaic ;multiple myeloma ;muscle tone ;myeloma ;puberty ;respiratory ;short stature ;stature ;syndrome ;translocation ;trisomy ;uniparental disomy ;white blood cells
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary.
See also Understanding Medical Terminology.
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary.
See also Understanding Medical Terminology.
References (17 links)
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.
.png)
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario