Gene nomenclature is the scientific naming of genes, the units of heredity in living organisms. An international committee published recommendations for genetic symbols and nomenclature in 1957.[1] The need to develop formal guidelines for human gene names and symbols was recognized in the 1960s and full guidelines were issued in 1979 (Edinburgh Human Genome Meeting).[2] Several other species-specific research communities (e.g., Drosophila, mouse) have adopted nomenclature standards, as well, and have published them on the relevant model organism websites and in scientific journals, including the Trends in Genetics Genetic Nomenclature Guide.[3][4] Scientists familiar with a particular gene family may work together to revise the nomenclature for the entire set of genes when new information becomes available.[5] For many genes and their corresponding proteins, however, an assortment of alternate names is in use across the scientific literature and public biological databases, thus posing a challenge to effective organization and exchange of biological information.[6]
Nomenclature guidelines
Species-specific resources
The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee is responsible for providing human gene naming guidelines and approving new, unique human gene names and symbols (short form abbreviations). For some non-human species, model organism databases serve as central repositories of guidelines and help resources, including advice from curators and nomenclature committees. In addition to species-specific databases, approved gene names and symbols for many species can be located in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's Entrez Gene database.
Vertebrate gene symbol formatting
| Gene symbol formatting examples ("sonic hedgehog" gene) | ||
| Species | Gene symbol | Protein symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Homo sapiens | SHH | SHH |
| Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus | Shh | SHH |
| Xenopus laevis, X. tropicalis | shh | SHH |
| Danio rerio | shh | Shh |
The research communities of vertebrate model organisms have adopted guidelines whereby genes in these species are given, whenever possible, the same names as their human orthologs. The use of prefixes on gene symbols to indicate species (e.g., "Z" for zebrafish) is discouraged. The recommended formatting of printed gene and protein symbols varies between species.
Human
Gene symbols generally are italicised, with all letters in uppercase (e.g., SHH, for sonic hedgehog). Italics are not necessary in gene catalogs. Protein designations are the same as the gene symbol, but are not italicised; all letters are in uppercase (SHH). mRNAs and cDNAs use the same formatting conventions as the gene symbol.[5]
Mouse and rat
Gene symbols generally are italicised, with only the first letter in uppercase and the remaining letters in lowercase (Shh). Italics are not required on web pages. Protein designations are the same as the gene symbol, but are not italicised; all letters are in uppercase (SHH).[7]
Frog (Xenopus sp.)
Gene symbols are not italicised and all letters are in lowercase (shh). Protein designations are the same as the gene symbol, are not italicised, and all letters are in uppercase (SHH).[8]
Zebrafish
Gene symbols are italicised, with all letters in lowercase (shh). Protein designations are the same as the gene symbol, but are not italicised; the first letter is in uppercase and the remaining letters are in lowercase (Shh).[9]
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