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Scientists map fourth human chromosomeSite of genes linked to many diseases
(CNN) -- Scientists have mapped the full sequence of human chromosome 14, the site of more than 60 disease genes, including one linked to early onset Alzheimer's. The effort, which involved more than 100 researchers, resulted in only the fourth chromosome ever sequenced and the longest to date. Human cells typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes, each pair made up of a chromosome from each parent. The researchers describe chromosome 14 and its 87,410,661 pairs of DNA in Thursday's edition of the journal Nature. Researchers were excited about the finding because the chromosome contains many genes linked to crucial immune system function. "At the present time, this is the longest piece of contiguous DNA that has been sequenced. We made an effort to close all the gaps," Jean Weissenbach, director of the French sequencing group Genoscope, told The Associated Press. No instant cureThe accomplishment does not mean an instant cure for early onset Alzheimer's, a degenerative brain disease believed to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. That form accounts for less than 10 percent of Alzheimer's cases. Study author Roland Heilig of Genoscope said the hope is that sequencing abnormal forms of the genes involved in diseases might lead to new treatments. One possibility, he and others suggested, is molding new therapies around the abnormal gene proteins. "The sequence permits you to know the function of the gene, and maybe to discover some drugs that restore the protein for the gene," Heilig told Reuters. Other diseases with genes present on chromosome 14 are spastic paraplegia, a neurodegenerative condition that leads to weakness or stiffness of the legs; and Usher syndrome, which results in gradual hearing and vision loss. In the past three years, researchers have published the full sequences of chromosomes 22, 21 and 20. The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.
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