Chromosome 15 (human)

The human chromosome 15 is one of 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans. A normal person has two nearly identical copies of this chromosome in most of its cells. Chromosome 15 is a acrocentric chromosome, that is, it has a terminal centromere.

Decryption of chromosome 15

Chromosome 15 consists of 100 million base pairs. A base pair is the smallest information unit of DNA. Chromosome 15 containing about 3 to 3.5 % of the total DNA of a human cell. The identification of the genes on this chromosome is the part of the ongoing process of the human genome. On chromosome 15 are 650-1000 genes. So far, 634 of them are known.

Known genes on chromosome 15

The chromosome 15 contains the following genes:

• MHC I: β2 -microglobulin
• SRP 14: Signal recognition particle 14 kDa
• FGF 7: Fibroblast growth factor 7

Medical importance

With the genes located on chromosome 15 following genetic diseases or symptoms are associated. These include:

• Aagenaes syndrome
• Oculocutaneous albinism type 2
• Angelman syndrome
• Bartter syndrome type I
• Bloom syndrome
• Marfan syndrome
• Nemaline myopathy
• Prader -Willi syndrome
• Tay- Sachs disease
• Trisomy 15