7q31

7q31 refers to a cytogenetic band on the long arm of chromosome 7. The designation describes a region defined by chromosomal staining patterns used in human genetics, rather than a single fixed coordinate. Boundaries of cytogenetic bands can vary somewhat between reference builds and labeling systems, but 7q31 denotes a general area around the band 31 on the q arm of chromosome 7.

Several genes and regulatory elements reside in or near this region. Notable examples include FOXP2, a transcription factor implicated in speech and language development, located at 7q31.1, and MET, a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell growth and development, located at 7q31.2. Because of their proximity, disruptions in 7q31 or alterations affecting these loci can have phenotypic consequences in some individuals.

Clinical and research relevance of 7q31 centers on neurodevelopmental and oncogenic processes. Variations that affect FOXP2 or nearby regulatory sequences have been associated with speech and language disorders in certain cases. Variants and amplifications involving MET have been studied in cancer biology, where MET dysregulation can contribute to tumor growth and progression; MET is also a target of therapeutic inhibitors in some cancer types. In genetics, the region is of interest for studies of structural variation, copy number changes, and their potential links to developmental or disease-related traits.

Overall, 7q31 represents a clinically relevant genomic neighborhood on chromosome 7, notable for the FOXP2 and MET genes and for its involvement in research on language development and cancer biology.