Phenomena and Processes

Chromosome Fragile Sites

Specific loci that show up during KARYOTYPING as a gap (an uncondensed stretch in closer views) on a CHROMATID arm after culturing cells under specific conditions. These sites are associated with an increase in CHROMOSOME FRAGILITY. They are classified as common or rare, and by the specific culture conditions under which they develop. Fragile site loci are named by the letters FRA followed by a designation for the specific chromosome, and a letter which refers to which fragile site of that chromosome (e.g. FRAXA refers to fragile site A on the X chromosome. It is a rare, folic acid-sensitive fragile site associated with FRAGILE X SYNDROME.)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Specific loci that show up during KARYOTYPING as a gap (an uncondensed stretch in closer views) on a CHROMATID arm after culturing cells under specific conditions. These sites are associated with an increase in CHROMOSOME FRAGILITY. They are classified as common or rare, and by the specific culture conditions under which they develop. Fragile site loci are named by the letters FRA followed by a designation for the specific chromosome, and a letter which refers to which fragile site of that chromosome (e.g. FRAXA refers to fragile site A on the X chromosome. It is a rare, folic acid-sensitive fragile site associated with FRAGILE X SYNDROME.)

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Synonyms

5 entry terms
  • Fragile Sites, Chromosome
  • Chromosome Fragile Site
  • Fragile Site, Chromosome
  • Site, Chromosome Fragile
  • Sites, Chromosome Fragile

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Aspects Covered

6 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, ethics, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

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History Note

2004; use CHROMOSOME FRAGILITY 1982-2003

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Chromosome Fragility (1982-2003)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. G05.360w.340w.024.189w.610w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Chromosome Fragile Sites. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D043283. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D043283
  2. Chromosome Fragile Sites. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromosomal_fragile_site
  3. Chromosome Fragile Sites. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5113903