CYTOGENETIC

LOCATION

By:Gerard Kent Galupino

 WHAT IS A
CYTOGENETIC
LOCATION?
The cytogenetic location is based on
a distinctive pattern of bands
created when chromosomes are
stained with certain chemicals.
Another type of map uses the
molecular location, a precise
description of a gene's position on a
• Its also a mapping system known
as the International System for
Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN)
uses a numbering system wich
provides a gene its “address”on
a chromosome.Autosomes
(chromosomes 1-22 of a typical
human cell)are designated by
their chromosome number,where
as the sex chromosomes are
designated as X or Y
• Each chromosome is assigned a long
arm and a short arm based on the
position of the chromosome’s
centromere.The long and short arms
are called q and prespectively.When
chromosomes are treated with certain
chemicals such as the Giemsa-stain,a
pattern of light and dark bands
appear on their arms.Each band is
designated by a number,wich
increases as the distance from the
centromere to the telomere
increases.This number is sometimes
followed by a decimal point and
another number to represent a
The position of the gene on the p or q arm. The
position of a gene is based on a distinctive
pattern of light and dark bands that appear when
the chromosome is stained in a certain way. The
position is usually designated by two digits
(representing a region and a band), which are
sometimes followed by a decimal point and one
or more additional digits (representing sub-
bands within a light or dark area). The number
indicating the gene position increases with
distance
Upon from the
locating the chromosome
centromere. For example:
number with
14q21
the represents
CTFR gene,findposition
the q arm21 of
onthe
the long arm of
chromosome 14. 14q21
chromosome.The is closerbelow
q arm,located to thethe
centromere than
cetromere,has 14q22.
three regions.The third region
appears to start from the second area with
alternatng black and gray bands,which
happens to be the region’s first band.You will
now able to locate subband number 2.