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.

UNIGE researchers identify genomic variations associated with trisomy 21

Down syndrome, more commonly known as "trisomy 21" is very often accompanied by pathologies found in the general population: Alzheimer's disease, leukemia, or cardiac deficiency.

28 Jun 2013

Forced elongation of telomeres promotes differentiation of cancer cells

Researchers from the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research in Tokyo have discovered that forced elongation of telomeres (extensions on the end of chromosomes) promotes the differentiation of cancer cells, probably reducing malignancy, which is strongly associated with a loss of cell differentiation.

28 Jun 2013

Prader-Willi syndrome results in dysregulation of circadian and metabolic genes

Researchers with the UC Davis MIND Institute and Agilent Laboratories have found that Prader-Willi syndrome - a genetic disorder best known for causing an insatiable appetite that can lead to morbid obesity - is associated with the loss of non-coding RNAs, resulting in the dysregulation of circadian and metabolic genes, accelerated energy expenditure and metabolic differences during sleep.

26 Jun 2013

Investigators uncover connection between tumor metabolic process and progression of kidney cancer

Investigators in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network have uncovered a connection between how tumor cells use energy from metabolic processes and the aggressiveness of the most common form of kidney cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

24 Jun 2013

Researchers discover key role of RAP1 gene in obesity

The discovery of an unexpected function for a gene that was associated to another process in the organism might be a solution in search of a problem, a clue to unsuspected connections. That is what has happened with RAP1, a gene that protects telomeres- the ends of chromosomes-after researchers from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre surprisingly discovered its key role in obesity.

21 Jun 2013

Results of ibrutinib Phase 2 study in patients with mantle cell lymphoma published in NEJM

Pharmacyclics, Inc. today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine published results of a Phase 2 study evaluating the investigational oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma online.

20 Jun 2013

Men with haplogroup I of Y chromosome have 50% greater risk of developing heart disease

University of Leicester scientists have discovered a potential genetic contributor to the increased risk of heart disease among men.

18 Jun 2013

Genomic instability in new molecular pathway may predict worse outcomes in breast cancer patients

A new molecular pathway involving the gene ZNF365 has been identified and abnormalities in that pathway may predict worse outcomes for patients with breast cancer, according to data published in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

18 Jun 2013

European Commission amends marketing authorisation for Celgene's REVLIMID

Celgene International Sàrl was today notified that the European Commission has amended the marketing authorisation for REVLIMID. This decision means that REVLIMID is now approved to treat patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia due to low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes associated with an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality when other therapeutic options are insufficient or inadequate.

17 Jun 2013

Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for MDP Syndrome

National Paracycling Champion Tom Staniford has an extremely rare condition which, until now, has puzzled his doctors. He is unable to store fat under his skin - yet has type 2 diabetes - and suffered hearing loss as a child. Now, thanks to advances in genome sequencing, an international research team led by the University of Exeter Medical School has identified Tom's condition and pinpointed the single genetic mutation that causes it.

17 Jun 2013

Pew Charitable Trusts selects NYU professor as Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences

Fei Li, an assistant professor in New York University's Department of Biology, has been selected as a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

14 Jun 2013

Sequenom CMM completes build-out, validation of additional lab facility in Raleigh-Durham, NC

Sequenom, Inc., a life sciences company providing innovative genetic analysis solutions, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, the Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine, has completed the build-out and validation of an additional laboratory location in Raleigh-Durham, NC, and is now processing patient samples commercially.

12 Jun 2013

New findings suggest development of pharmacological treatments for uterine leiomyomata

Uterine leiomyomata, or fibroids, are benign tumours that nevertheless affect the health of millions of women. They may cause, for instance, pain, bleeding and infertility. Fibroids are also the most common reason for a hysterectomy; for example, some 8,000 hysterectomies are made in Finland each year.

10 Jun 2013

Researchers demonstrate how young genes acquire essential functions

Researchers from UConn and other institutions in the U.S. and abroad have shown how a relatively young gene can acquire a new function and become essential to an organism's life.

7 Jun 2013

Duke researchers find novel way to repair gene responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Using a novel genetic 'editing' technique, Duke University biomedical engineers have been able to repair a defect responsible for one of the most common inherited disorders, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in cell samples from Duchenne patients.

5 Jun 2013

Research provides insights into potential new strategies to detect, treat and prevent breast cancer

New research provides critical insights into how normal breast precursor cells may be genetically vulnerable to develop into cancer. The research is published June 4th in the inaugural issue of Stem Cell Reports, an open-access journal from the International Society of Stem Cell Research published by Cell Press.

5 Jun 2013

Research lays foundation for genetic test to identify hip dysplasia in newborns

Research from Thomas Jefferson University is laying the foundation for a genetic test to accurately identify hip dysplasia in newborns so that early intervention can be initiated to promote normal development.

4 Jun 2013

Lung cancer patients are likely to fare better if treated with targeted therapy than with chemotherapy

Thousands of patients with an advanced form of lung cancer that carries a specific dysfunctional gene are likely to fare better if treated with a targeted therapy than with traditional chemotherapy, report Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers and a team of international collaborators.

3 Jun 2013

Radiotherapy: First choice treatment for low-grade glioma

In a large, international, randomized trial, initial radiotherapy was compared to temozolomide chemotherapy. A statistically significant difference between the two treatment strategies was not observed for progression-free survival, although radiotherapy was numerically favored. However, molecular tumor characterization may allow the treatment approach to be personalized and one or the other treatment modality to be selected.

30 May 2013

Medical researchers identify genetic marker associated with sporadic breast cancer

Medical researchers at the University of Alberta have pinpointed a genetic marker for sporadic breast cancer - one of a handful identified to date in Caucasians.

29 May 2013