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.

Large genetic analysis of impulsiveness reveals links with psychiatric disorders

Impulsiveness and substance use share a genetic basis, according to genome-wide association studies published in JNeurosci by academic and industry researchers.

From Society for Neuroscience 5 Feb 2019

Study sheds light on the genetic causes of tumors in salivary glands

Acinic cell carcinoma is the third most common malignant form of salivary gland cancer. These tumors are similar to normal salivary gland tissue and occur most frequently in the parotid gland.

31 Jan 2019

Researchers discover how transcription factors find specific loci within DNA

Bioengineering experts have discovered that transcription factors which bind non-specifically to mitotic chromosomes are more efficient at finding their binding site within DNA during interphase.

30 Jan 2019

Study shows that aging and chronic diseases share common genetic factors

The global population aged 60 or over is growing faster than all younger age groups and faces the tide of chronic diseases threatening their quality of life and posing challenges to healthcare and economy systems.

30 Jan 2019

Big data opens door for characterizing immunity-related genome in Japanese population

Although different genes are distributed widely across chromosomes, many genes related to the immune system are clustered together on human chromosome 6, in a segment called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region.

29 Jan 2019

RNA-induced gene fusion can occur in mammalian cells, reveals study

A fusion gene is a new gene made by joining parts of two different genes. The current thought is that fusion genes can happen in cells with unstable genome when part of the DNA from one chromosome moves to another chromosome.

29 Jan 2019

Nine early career scientists named 2019 recipients of the Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation announced that nine scientists with novel approaches to fighting cancer have been named 2019 recipients of the Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award.

24 Jan 2019

Novel therapeutic approach for treatment of leukemia

The BCR/ABL gene, which does not occur among healthy people, has been shown to be a causative agent in the pathogenesis of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia.

24 Jan 2019

Researchers uncover new role of heterochromatin in maintaining chromosomal integrity

Although many people are aware that chromosomal damage and shortening contribute to the aging process, understanding how chromosomal defects occur is about more than just finding a way to turn back the clock. Large changes in the structure of chromosomes, known as gross chromosomal rearrangements, can result in cell death or genetic diseases such as cancer.

24 Jan 2019

Cellular recycling process may prevent cancer initiation, finds study

Just as plastic tips protect the ends of shoelaces and keep them from fraying when we tie them, molecular tips called telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes and keep them from fusing when cells continually divide and duplicate their DNA.

24 Jan 2019

Study sheds new light on male infertility

Hope has emerged for infertile men as scientists at Newcastle University have understood the importance of a gene in regulating the production of fully-functioning sperm.

24 Jan 2019

New research focuses on noise sensitivity and general fearfulness of canine behavior

Researchers in the Hannes Lohi research group in the University of Helsinki focused on two forms of canine fearfulness: noise sensitivity and general fearfulness.

24 Jan 2019

Experimental drug can positively modify key characteristic behavior in FXS patients

Researchers at MIND Institute at UC Davis and Rush University Medical Center have found that mavoglurant, an experimental drug known as a mGluR5 negative modulator, can positively modify a key characteristic behavior in individuals with fragile X syndrome.

22 Jan 2019

Scientists aim to find genetic causes of developmental abnormalities in the vagina and uterus

A percentage of females are born with a missing or underdeveloped vagina and uterus, and scientists are working to analyze the genes of hundreds of them to get a better idea about causes, improve genetic counseling and ideally treatment.

22 Jan 2019

Unexpected connection found between feeding and memory centers of the brain

The search for a mechanism that could explain how the protein complex NCOR1/2 regulates memory has revealed an unexpected connection between the lateral hypothalamus and the hippocampus, the feeding and the memory centers of the brain, respectively.

21 Jan 2019

Researchers discover how cancer cells avoid genetic meltdown

A team of scientists have shed light on how cancer cell populations avoid genetic meltdown, despite the rapid accumulation of harmful mutations.

15 Jan 2019

Researchers identify genetic risk factor for atypical heart attack in women

New research published by teams from Leicester, UK and Paris, France in collaboration with international partners from the US and Australia, has found a common genetic factor that confers a significant risk of atypical heart attacks in women.

7 Jan 2019

European scientists aim to identify causes of dementia

Dementia is common to a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease and Down syndrome. This common symptom is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people.

19 Dec 2018

Researchers uncover genes that play a key role in the inactivation of X chromosomes

In cell biology, men and women are unequal: men have an X chromosome, while women have two. How can we get around this difference?

19 Dec 2018

New compound blocks genetic cause of familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia

Since the ice bucket challenge went viral in 2014, raising awareness and funding for ALS research, scientists have learned much about a disease that disconnects muscles from nerves, leading to muscle atrophy and eventual death. Their ultimate goal is to create medications capable of stopping ALS in its tracks.

18 Dec 2018

Chromosome 4 News and Research

Further Reading

Large genetic analysis of impulsiveness reveals links with psychiatric disorders

Study sheds light on the genetic causes of tumors in salivary glands

Researchers discover how transcription factors find specific loci within DNA

Study shows that aging and chronic diseases share common genetic factors

Big data opens door for characterizing immunity-related genome in Japanese population

RNA-induced gene fusion can occur in mammalian cells, reveals study

Nine early career scientists named 2019 recipients of the Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award

Novel therapeutic approach for treatment of leukemia

Researchers uncover new role of heterochromatin in maintaining chromosomal integrity

Cellular recycling process may prevent cancer initiation, finds study

Study sheds new light on male infertility

New research focuses on noise sensitivity and general fearfulness of canine behavior

Experimental drug can positively modify key characteristic behavior in FXS patients

Scientists aim to find genetic causes of developmental abnormalities in the vagina and uterus

Unexpected connection found between feeding and memory centers of the brain

Researchers discover how cancer cells avoid genetic meltdown

Researchers identify genetic risk factor for atypical heart attack in women

European scientists aim to identify causes of dementia

Researchers uncover genes that play a key role in the inactivation of X chromosomes

New compound blocks genetic cause of familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia

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