Chromosome 4 (human)

Chromosome 4 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.

Decryption of chromosome 4

The chromosome 4 is composed of 191 million base pairs. A base pair is the smallest information unit of DNA. Chromosome 4 contains about 6 % 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 4 are 700-1200 genes. When sequencing in April 2005 796 protein - coding genes and 778 pseudo - genes were found. Pseudo - genes are not functional ( " disconnected " ) genes. The proportion of pseudo - genes on chromosome 4, with almost 50 % extremely high.

Known genes on chromosome 4

The chromosome 4 contains the following genes:

  • CXCL8: Interleukin -8 ( IL-8)
  • CXCL9: monokines induced by interferon-gamma
  • EGF: Epidermal growth factor
  • FGFR3: fibroblast growth factor receptor 3
  • PKD2: Polycystic Kidney Disease 2
  • PTA: Plasma thromboplastin antecedent
  • SRP72 Signal recognition particle 72 kDa
  • UCP1: Thermogenin
  • Huntingtin

Medical importance

With the genes located on chromosome 4 among others, the following genetic diseases or symptoms are associated:

  • Achondroplasia
  • Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease ( ADPKD )
  • Bladder cancer
  • C Syndrome
  • Huntington's disease
  • Chorea
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
  • Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
  • Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
  • Hypochondroplasia
  • Methylmalonic
  • Parkinson 's disease
  • Spotting
  • Thanatophoric dysplasia
  • Wolf- Hirschhorn syndrome
  • Cystic kidney
Pseudogene Huntington's disease Sydenham's chorea Piebald
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