Cystic fibrosis: complementary endeavours

Article Abstract:

The gene that is defective in cystic fibrosis (CF) was identified in 1989. In the past year-and-one half, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the abnormalities caused by the defective gene. However, after the Fourth Annual North American and 1990 International Cystic Fibrosis Conference in October 1990, scientists agree that more research is necessary before improved health care can be offered to patients with CF. Recent advances in research on CF were discussed at the meeting including: the correction of the defect which occurs in CF by giving the normal gene to CF cells that are grown in culture; greater understanding of the CF gene and how the protein that is encoded by it is produced in certain cells and not others; what controls the activation of the CF gene; and what cells in the body produce the protein product. Additional advances include: the identification of the CF gene in the mouse, allowing the mouse to be used as an animal model for experimentation; investigating how the protein molecule works and what portions of the protein are involved in particular functions; and identifying other mutations, or genetic changes, that occur in patients with CF. In 70 percent of the patients with CF, the gene is mutated in one particular area. But approximately 61 other mutations causing CF have been identified. Some of these are found in 2 to 5 percent of the patients with CF, but others are only found in one particular individual. It is hoped that patients with CF can be treated with gene therapy; the normal gene can be introduced into the lungs of patients. Although this is possible, the meeting showed that more research is necessary before gene therapy for patients with CF will be available. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Conferences, meetings and seminars, Cystic fibrosis

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Moving straight to the target

Article Abstract:

Adenoviruses and herpesviruses may be useful alternatives to retroviruses for delivering therapeutic genes to diseased organs. These latest advances in gene therapy are reported in the Aug, 1992 issue of the journal Nature Genetics. Ron Crystal and colleagues report that adenoviruses transferred the lacZ gene and the human alpha-1-AT gene; this technique may aid in treating hemophilia and metabolic disorders. In addition, J.H. Wolfe and colleagues used herpesviruses to correct an abnormality in the beta-glucuronidase gene that is responsible for a type of mental retardation called Sly disease.

Health aspects, Genetic disorders, Herpesviruses, Adenoviruses

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Hair apparent

Article Abstract:

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, and baldness is often termed as a polygenic condition, but only a few of the genes are known. Ahmad and colleagues have studied alopecia universalis, a recessively inherited, comprehensive form of baldness, which has been seen in a six-generation Pakistani family. They cloned the human homologue of the hairless mouse gene, discovering that the affected people all harboured two mutated copies of the gene.

Human genetics, Baldness, Alopecia

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