Embryonic Stem Cell Specific 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine Binding Protein (HMCES)

Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell, divided into 23 pairs. Two copies of chromosome 3, one copy inherited from each parent, form one of the pairs. Chromosome 3 spans almost 200 million base pairs (the building blocks of DNA) and represents approximately 6.5 percent of the total DNA in cells.

Identifying genes on each chromosome is an active area of genetic research. Because researchers use different approaches to predict the number of genes on each chromosome, the estimated number of genes varies. Chromosome 3 likely contains between 1,100 and 1,500 genes. These genes perform a variety of different roles in the body.Many genetic conditions are related to changes in particular genes on chromosome 3.