Chromosome 11

Chromosome 11 is one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans. People normally have two copies of this chromosome. Chromosome 11 spans about 134 million base pairs (the building material of DNA) and represents between 4 and 4.5 percent of the total DNA in cells. Identifying genes on each chromosome is an active area of genetic research. Chromosome 11 likely contains between 1,300 and 1,700 genes. Genes on chromosome 11 are among the estimated 25,000 total genes in the human genome. There are many conditions related to genes on chromosome 11 including Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, Alexander Disease, Omenn 's Syndrome, Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Aniridia, Denys-Drash Syndrome, Sickle cell anemia, Keratitis, Albinism, and Ewing 's Sarcoma (King, 2006). Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a hereditary disorder marked by slowly progressive muscle weakness mostly in the feet and legs, but sometimes in the hands and arms. The weakness results from the degeneration of nerves that stimulate muscle. The disorder is named after three physicians who first identified it in 1886: Jean-Martin Charcot, Pierre Marie, and Howard Tooth. The first symptoms of this disease are usually foot deformities like high arch and flexed toes and difficulty in walking. There is also a tendency to sprain ankles and some difficulty in maintaining balance while standing. It is only necessary for one parent to carry the defective gene for the disease to be transmitted. Male and female children are equally affected. Both electromyography, which is a test measuring the electrical activity of muscle cells, and muscle biopsy tests help diagnosis this disease. There is no known cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. However, foot deformities can be treated with carefully fitted shoes and proper foot care and regular program of exercise can build up muscles (Torchia, 2005).
Alexander disease is a rare, genetic disorder of the nervous system. It belongs to a group of genetic disorders called the leukodystrophies

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