FRAGILE SITES : A BRIFE REVIEW
Y. R. AHUJA *
Department of Genetics, Osmania University Hyderabad 500 007
A. SHOBHA RANI *
Department of Genetics, Osmania University Hyderabad 500 007
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Fragile sites are a type of heteromorphic traits on human chromosomes. They are located on the autosomes as well as the X-chromosomes. Fragile-X is associated with one type of X-linked mental retardation. But the role of fragile sites on the autosomes is not clear. The incidence of all autosomal fragile sites put together is higher in the diseased group (congenital malformations and mental retardation) as compared to the controls. The role of fragile sites in carcinogenesis in man has been looked into little.
Keywords: Chromosome structure and function, Fragile sites