Contiguous genes

Contiguous genes are genes that are located next to each other on a chromosome. They are often related in function and may be part of a gene cluster. The term "contiguous" comes from the Latin "contiguus", which means "touching or bordering upon".

Overview

Contiguous genes are often found in prokaryotes, where they form operons. These are groups of genes that are transcribed together into a single mRNA molecule. This allows for the coordinated expression of genes that are involved in the same metabolic pathway or process.

In eukaryotes, contiguous genes are less common due to the presence of introns and the more complex regulation of gene expression. However, they can still be found in certain cases, such as the histone genes in humans.

Function

The function of contiguous genes is often related, as they are usually part of the same metabolic pathway or process. This allows for the coordinated expression of these genes, which can be beneficial for the organism. For example, in the case of the histone genes in humans, the coordinated expression of these genes is crucial for the formation of the nucleosome, the basic unit of DNA packaging.

Clinical significance

Contiguous gene syndromes are a group of genetic disorders that are caused by deletions or duplications of several genes that are located next to each other on a chromosome. These syndromes can have a wide range of symptoms, depending on the genes that are affected. Examples of contiguous gene syndromes include DiGeorge syndrome, Williams syndrome, and Smith-Magenis syndrome.

See also

• Gene cluster
• Operon
• Gene expression
• Histone
• Nucleosome
• DiGeorge syndrome
• Williams syndrome
• Smith-Magenis syndrome

References

Contiguous genes Resources
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