Web site:
http://www.genenames.org/
Authority
The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) maintains the HUGO Gene Nomenclature. The HGNC is a committee of the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO).
Purpose
The HGNC approves a gene name and symbol (short-form abbreviation) for each known human gene. The approved symbols are maintained and stored in the HGNC database. Symbols are unique and each gene only has one approved gene symbol which facilitates electronic data retrieval.
Description
The majority of approved symbols represent protein-coding genes, but pseudogenes, non-coding RNAs, phenotypes and genomic features are also represented. The priority of the HGNC is to assign nomenclature to genes submitted by the Human Genome Project.
Individual new symbols may be requested by scientists, journals and databases. Groups of new symbols may be requested by those working on gene families, chromosome segments or whole chromosomes.
Metathesaurus Update Frequency
HUGO is updated annually in the Metathesaurus, as resources permit.
Sites Consulted