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Chromosome 18
Reviewed March 2012
What is chromosome 18?
Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell, divided into 23 pairs. Two copies of chromosome 18, one copy inherited from each parent, form one of the pairs. Chromosome 18 spans about 78 million DNA building blocks (base pairs) and represents approximately 2.5 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 18 likely contains 200 to 300 genes that provide instructions for making proteins. These proteins perform a variety of different roles in the body.
Genes on chromosome 18 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 18 likely contains 200 to 300 genes that provide instructions for making proteins. These proteins perform a variety of different roles in the body.
Genes on chromosome 18 are among the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 total genes in the human genome.
How are changes in chromosome 18 related to health conditions?
Many genetic conditions are related to changes in particular genes on chromosome 18. This list of disorders associated with genes on chromosome 18 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 18.
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 18.
- tetrasomy 18p
- Tetrasomy 18p results from the presence of an abnormal extra chromosome, called an isochromosome 18p, in each cell. An isochromosome is a chromosome with two identical arms. Normal chromosomes have one long (q) arm and one short (p) arm, but isochromosomes have either two q arms or two p arms. Isochromosome 18p is a version of chromosome 18 made up of two p arms. Cells normally have two copies of each chromosome, one inherited from each parent. In people with tetrasomy 18p, cells have the usual two copies of chromosome 18 plus an isochromosome 18p. As a result, each cell has four copies of the short arm of chromosome 18. (The word "tetrasomy" is derived from "tetra," the Greek word for "four.") The extra genetic material from the isochromosome disrupts the normal course of development, causing intellectual disability, delayed development, and the other characteristic features of this disorder.
- trisomy 18
- Trisomy 18 occurs when each cell in the body has three copies of chromosome 18 instead of the usual two copies, causing severe intellectual disability and multiple birth defects that are usually fatal by early childhood. (The word "trisomy" comes from "tri," the Greek word for "three.") In some cases, the extra copy of chromosome 18 is present in only some of the body's cells. This condition is known as mosaic trisomy 18. Rarely, trisomy 18 is caused by an extra copy of only a piece of chromosome 18. This condition is known as partial trisomy 18. Partial trisomy 18 occurs when part of the long (q) arm of chromosome 18 becomes attached (translocated) to another chromosome during the formation of reproductive cells (eggs and sperm) or very early in embryonic development. Affected individuals have two copies of chromosome 18, plus the extra material from chromosome 18 attached to another chromosome. If only part of the q arm is present in three copies, the physical signs of partial trisomy 18 may be less severe than those typically seen in trisomy 18. If the entire q arm is present in three copies, individuals may be as severely affected as if they had three full copies of chromosome 18. Researchers believe that extra copies of some genes on chromosome 18 disrupt the course of normal development, causing the characteristic features of trisomy 18 and the health problems associated with this disorder.
- other chromosomal conditions
- Other disorders associated with chromosome 18 occur when pieces of either the long (q) arm or short (p) arm of this chromosome are missing or when extra genetic material from chromosome 18 is present. Researchers are uncertain how missing or extra pieces of chromosome 18 lead to the specific features of these disorders. Partial monosomy of chromosome 18p (18p-) occurs when a piece of the short arm of this chromosome is deleted. Individuals with this condition often have short stature, a round face, large ears, a shortened space between the nose and mouth (philtrum), droopy eyelids (ptosis), and mild to moderate intellectual disability. About 10 to 15 percent of people with this condition have serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). The lifespan of individuals with partial monosomy of chromosome 18p is typically not reduced, except when severe brain abnormalities are present. Partial monosomy of chromosome 18q (18q-) occurs when a piece of the long arm of this chromosome is deleted. The signs and symptoms of this condition vary depending on whether the deletion occurs near the end of the chromosome (distal 18q-) or closer to the center of the chromosome (proximal 18q-). People with distal 18q- are more likely than those with proximal 18q- to have heart defects and abnormalities of the genitalia, including undescended testicles (cryptorchidism) and the opening of the urethra on the underside of the penis (hypospadias). However, both distal 18q- and proximal 18q- can cause delayed development, intellectual disability, weak muscle tone (hypotonia), vision and hearing problems, distinctive facial features, and slow growth. Some people have a chromosome 18 with a circular structure, which is called a ring chromosome 18. This type of chromosome is formed when breaks occur at both ends of the chromosome and the broken ends join together to form a ring. Individuals with this chromosome abnormality often have intellectual disability, an unusually small head (microcephaly), widely spaced eyes (hypertelorism), low-set ears, and speech problems. The signs and symptoms associated with ring chromosome 18 depend on how much genetic material is lost from each arm of the chromosome.
Is there a standard way to diagram chromosome 18?
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 18?
You may find the following resources about chromosome 18 helpful. These materials are written for the general public.
- Additional NIH Resources - National Institutes of Health
- Educational resources - Information pages (2 links)
- MedlinePlus - Health information
- Research Resources - Tools for researchers (5 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 18?
cell ;central nervous system ;chromosome ;cryptorchidism ;deletion ;distal ;DNA ;embryonic ;genitalia ;hypertelorism ;hypospadias ;hypotonia ;isochromosome ;microcephaly ;monosomy ;mosaic ;muscle tone ;nervous system ;philtrum ;proximal ;ptosis ;reproductive cells ;short stature ;sperm ;stature ;testicles ;trisomy
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 (14 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.
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