Human Genome Project Information Archive
1990–2003

Gene Riches of Chromosome 19 Revealed

Report from 1999 DOE Genome Meeting

Preliminary analysis of chromosome 19 sequence data, as reported by Jane Lamerdin (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL) at the Oakland meeting, reaffirms the chromosome's selection as a rich target for gene discovery through genomic sequencing. Lamerdin's group at JGI-LLNL has finished about 10 Mb of genomic sequence and has placed many large (1-Mb) contigs from well-mapped regions in its sequencing queue, including representative contigs from almost every cytogenetic band on the chromosome.

Several sequenced GC-rich areas exhibit a high gene density relative to the rest of the genome—on average 1 gene per 20 to 25 kb. To better understand evolution and subsequent functional diversification, the group currently is sequencing and making a detailed comparison of several clustered chromosome 19 gene families and their orthologs in the mouse. The genes coding for cytochrome P-450 proteins are one such family under study. These proteins are considered part of the detoxification pathway used by eukaryotes (animals, plants, algae, and fungi) to rid themselves of toxins. Other gene families being analyzed include the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein family, multiple zinc finger families, and olfactory receptors.

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Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome News (v10n3-4).