The nucleotide: DNA sequencing and its clinical application.

Information determining cellular structure and function is contained in chromosomal DNA. Genes, regions of DNA encoding this information, are composed of specific sequences of nucleotides. DNA sequencing methods have been developed to identify these sequences. Even subtle alteration (or mutation) of these sequences can lead to many human syndromes and diseases. This article reviews 1) the structure of the nucleotide, 2) the methods of DNA sequencing, and 3) its recent clinical application in analysis of the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.