Chromosome+7


 * __This... is.... CHROMOSOME #7!__**



It is about 158 million base pairs long! [[|1]]

THAT'S "OVER 9,000!!!" (...a lot over)

Excerpt from "Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters" about Chromosome 7

"Thus the fact that all people smile at happiness and frown when worried, or that men from all cultures find youthful features sexually attractive in women, may be expressions of //**instinct**// not culture" (Ridley, p.102)

Chromosome 7 is what Matt Ridley has concluded to be one of the genes controlling human behavior.

Gene 1: MPLKIP

This is one important gene on this chromosome. It is thought to produce one of the proteins used in regulating the cell cycle, the way all somatic cells in your body are growing and dividing constantly, even while your reading this sentence. So the mutations or absence of this gene could result in trichothiodystrophy, which can cause slow growth and intellectual disabilities. Scientist have also begin to associate this protein with DNA transcription. Which is one of the main steps in synthesizing proteins [[|2]]. This diagram shows where on the chromosome it is located.



Gene 2: FAM126A

Another gene that is important on this chromosome is FAM126A. This produces the protein known as hyccin which helps in the formation of myelin. Myelin creates a covering that allows nerve impulses to pass through the nerves in your body and get to your brain. The presence of hyccin is detected in the eyes, heart, and kidneys although its purpose is undiscovered. The absence of this gene and these proteins results in neurological problems, intellectual disability, and cataracts, a type of lens that forms over the eye and causes blindness. [[|3]] Here is FAM126A's location on chromosome 7.

Disorder: Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome

This extremely rare mutation GLI3 gene causes this genetic disorder. This disorder also called Greig Syndrome affects the development of a person limbs, head and face. It results in extra fingers and toes and fused skin in between the fingers. Greig Syndrome can also cause wide spacing between eyes, and an abnormally large head and forehead. Some affected individuals have even experienced seizures or/and intellectual disabilities. [[|4]] Treatment for affected people include corrective surgery, anti-seizure medication and educational support for intellectual disabilities. [[|5]]

Interesting Fact

There is a gene on Chromosome #7 named "Sonic Hedgehog" after the famous Sega video game character. This gene is responsible for the growth of digits (fingers & toes) during early development. [[|6]]

References: 1.Chromosome 7 - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). //Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions //. Retrieved May 13, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/chromosome/7

2.FAM126A - family with sequence similarity 126, member A - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). //Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions //. Retrieved May 13, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/FAM126A

3.Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). //Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions //. Retrieved May 13, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/greig-cephalopolysyndactyly-syndrome

4.MPLKIP - M-phase specific PLK1 interacting protein - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). //Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions //. Retrieved May 13, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MPLKIP

5.Treatments for Greig Cephalopolysyndactyly Syndrome - RightDiagnosis.com. (n.d.). //Right Diagnosis //. Retrieved May 13, 2012, from http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/g/greig_cephalopolysyndactyly_syndrome/treatments.htm

<span style="background-color: #efefef; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">6. In the Human Genome, Chromosome 7 has a Gene Which Was Named “Sonic Hedgehog”. | Fact-o-tron.com. (n.d.). //<span style="background-color: #efefef; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Fact-o-tron.com | Interesting Facts, Fun & Brain Teasers //<span style="background-color: #efefef; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">. Retrieved May 13, 2012, from http://fact-o-tron.com/facts/nature/sonic-hedgehog-gene/