Chromosome 6
Chromosome 6
Length of DNA
170'805'979 bp
i.e. 5.6 cm
Estimated number of genes
1'049
Sequenced
in the UK
Link
motions of the invisible
Life is in perpetual movement. The infinitesimal too. Cells move and change. DNA winds and unwinds. Proteins come and go, bind to one another and let go of each other. Without movement, cells would not be able to carry oxygen, produce energy or deal with a virus or a sick cell.
Genetic portrait
IRF4 : variations in this gene influence skin, hair, and eye pigmentation. They are used by forensic scientists and archaeologists to create genetic portraits.
External links
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
Draw a genetic portrait: what did the ancient Greeks look like?
cut grass
OR2J3 : This gene is involved in the perception of the smell of freshly cut grass.
External links
Protein Spotlight : the intricacy of a smell
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
Cellular bin
TFEB: gene regulating lysosome formation. These organelles play a crucial role in the elimination of infectious agents (bacteria, viruses) and other elements toxic to the cell.
long life
FOXO3: Some variations of this gene are thought to be found more frequently in centenarians…
External links
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
pacemaker
TBX18: This gene is involved in developmental processes of a variety of tissues and organs, including the heart.
External links
Protein Spotlight : at the heart of thingsCorresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
one too many…
OPRM1: This gene codes for an opioid receptor (e.g. morphine, heroin and methadone). It also influences alcohol tolerance.
External links
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
Internal links
Chromosome 12: ALDH2
size matters
T: This gene codes for the ‘Brachyury’ protein, meaning ‘short tail’. In dogs, this protein is active in the development – i.e. the length – of its tail.
Parkinsons disease in young adults
PARK2: This gene is involved in the form of Parkinsons disease which appears in young adults.
a tolerant gene
CGA: This gene codes for a variety of hormones that play a key role in immune tolerance and the development of blood vessels at the mother-foetus interface.
External links
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
cancer’s ally
ABCC10: This gene is involved in the resistance of certain cancers to chemotherapy.
External links
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
mister muscle
PPARD: This gene is involved in muscle development, and has become a target to improve athletic performance.
iron measure
HFE: This gene is involved in iron metabolism.
chromosome scaffolding
HIST1H4: This is one of the numerous genes that code for histone proteins. The characteristic architecture of a chromosome is due to the way DNA is wound around histones.
External links
Bioinformatics expert: DNA wound around histones in the PDB database
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
Internal links
Chromosome 4: H2AFZ
untidy words
KIAA0319: This gene could be involved in dyslexia.
External links
Protein Spotlight: The twisted way of things
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot