15q

15q refers to the long arm of chromosome 15. Chromosomes are structures found inside the nucleus of cells that carry genetic information. Each chromosome has two arms, a short arm designated as "p" and a long arm designated as "q".

Deletions or duplications of specific segments on chromosome 15q can lead to various genetic disorders. For instance, deletions in a particular region of 15q are associated with Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome, two distinct neurodevelopmental disorders. The specific syndrome depends on whether the genetic abnormality is inherited from the mother or the father due to genomic imprinting.

Other chromosomal abnormalities involving 15q can also occur, such as inversions and translocations, which may or may not have noticeable effects on an individual's health depending on the specific rearrangement and whether any genetic material is lost or gained. Genetic testing, such as chromosomal microarray analysis or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), is often used to detect these alterations. Research continues to identify the precise genes within 15q that contribute to the phenotypes observed in these conditions.