Navigation Links
UT Southwestern researchers identify gene linked to inherited form of fatal lung disease
Date:12/19/2008

normally responsible for producing the telomerase enzyme, which elongates the lengths of DNA at the ends of chromosomes, called telomeres. In normal cells, telomeres shorten each time the cell divides. When they reach a certain length, the cell stops dividing. In most cancerous cells, telomeres don't shorten during cell division, allowing the cells to remain effectively immortal. Mutations in either of these two genes can be found in almost 15 percent of those with familial IPF. Up to 40 percent have short telomere lengths and evidence of telomerase dysfunction.

"But we were still left with a big question mark," Dr. Garcia said. "What about the rest of the families that have normal telomere lengths? What was causing their lung disease?"

In the current study, Dr. Garcia and her team focused on families that did not have TERC or TERT mutations. By using a genomic linkage approach a technique that scans the entire human genome for regions of DNA that are shared in common by all the individuals with the disease they were led to mutations in a gene called SFTPA2. The protein produced by this gene, surfactant protein A2, is found in the fluid of the lungs and helps protect the organ from invading pathogens.

Many of the individuals in this family who carried this mutation had not only IPF but also lung cancer, especially adenocarcinoma, with features of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma. It is known that people with IPF have a higher risk for developing lung cancer, and Dr. Garcia suspects that mutations in the SFTPA2 gene are associated with both IPF and lung cancer. Another family harboring a different mutation in the SFTPA2 gene also had members that exhibited IPF and lung cancer.

Dr. Garcia and her team are now working on molecular studies in cells to determine why these gene mutations put patients at risk for either of these diseases. They are also working to develop an animal model in order to determine the specific effects of
'/>"/>

Contact: Connie Piloto
connie.piloto@utsouthwestern.edu
214-648-3404
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Source:Eurekalert  

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. UT Southwestern researchers identify hundreds of genes controlling female fertility
2. BMI criteria for obesity surgery should be lowered, UT Southwestern researcher suggests
3. UT Southwestern secures $5 million NIH grant for lupus research
4. UT Southwestern scientist honored among best in Texas research
5. Stem-cell transplantation improves muscles in MD animal model, UT Southwestern researchers report
6. NIH awards $6.5 million grant to UT Southwestern to develop new antibiotic
7. UT Southwesterns Mangelsdorf elected to National Academy of Sciences
8. Gene mutations in mice mimic human-like sleep disorder, UT Southwestern researchers find
9. Mouse model developed at UT Southwestern mimics hyperglycemia, aids in diabetes research
10. Geology and biology meet in the history of US southwestern desert surface waters
11. UT Southwestern researchers create molecule that nudges nerve stem cells to mature
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
UT Southwestern researchers identify gene linked to inherited form of fatal lung disease
UT Southwestern researchers identify gene linked to inherited form of fatal lung disease
(Date:12/11/2009)... species of wild apples that could be an ancestor ... and Central Asia. A new study comparing the diversity ... Georgia and Armenia with previously collected varieties originating in ... a core collection that will make M. orientalis ... , To identify and record the genetic diversity of ...
(Date:12/11/2009)... Pike, an associate professor of anthropology at the University ... northern Kenya to understand how violence shapes the health ... results of her and her colleagues, research," Documenting the ... of northern Kenya: A conceptual framework," is currently published ... Medicine , in collaboration with the British medical journal ...
(Date:12/11/2009)... ORFruit growers, profits have traditionally been limited ... where growing seasons can be short. Thanks ... varieties are being introduced that offer growers ... offseasonresulting in economic bonuses for both producers ... varieties of blackberry called "primocane-fruiting", which bear ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Understanding apples' ancestors 2UA-led study grapples with health effects of low-intensity warfare 2New management methods extend blackberry season 2SEI Defined Benefit Client Recognized With Leading Plan Design Award 5454 1SEI Defined Benefit Client Recognized With Leading Plan Design Award 5454 2If You Want Help From a Chimp Youll Have to Ask 59437 1If You Want Help From a Chimp Youll Have to Ask 59437 2Are Commercial Genetic Tests Worth Taking 3F 59435 1Are Commercial Genetic Tests Worth Taking 3F 59435 2Are Commercial Genetic Tests Worth Taking 3F 59435 3
... COLLEGE STATION, Aug. 6, 2008 Think researchers know ... known as E. coli? Think again. "E. coli has ... one-fourth of these remain unknown," says Dr. Deborah Siegele, ... specializes in carrying out research using the bacterium. , ...
... NJIT and University of Sao Paulo today announced a ... safe, building block chemical derived from corn known as ... forward in developing applications and markets for corn-based chemistry. ... right to work with companies interested in sub-licensing this ...
... world in ,a different way from the rest of ... numbers or letters as ,having colors or days of ... normally in the world. Now, researchers at the ,California ... in which individuals hear sounds, such as tapping, ,beeping, ...
Other Biology News:GIANT-Coli: A novel method to quicken discovery of gene function 2Iowa Corn Promotion Board, NJIT to license breakthrough, safe bio-plastic alternative 2Caltech neurobiologists discover individuals who 'hear' movement 2Caltech neurobiologists discover individuals who 'hear' movement 3
(Date:12/11/2009)... -- Ambit Biosciences Corporation announced today the enrollment and ... Cancer Center of the first patient in the ACE ... fficacy) Phase 2 pivotal trial in patients with ... is a novel, orally available, potent and highly selective ... tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) inhibitor. The ACE study is ...
(Date:12/11/2009)... Gwathmey, Inc., a pre-clinical contract research ... aureus, and cardiovascular disease announces a new CEO. ... Rosalie Dunn, Ph.D., has joined Gwathmey as Chief ... years of experience working with small businesses and ... Dr. Dunn managed multimillion dollar portfolios for the ...
(Date:12/10/2009)... -- Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN ) announced today ... 15,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price ... also granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to ... stock to cover overallotments, if any. The offering ... to customary closing conditions. ,, J. P. Morgan Securities ...
(Date:12/10/2009)... National Institutes of Health (NIH), awarded a $2.18 million grant ... non-invasive, passive diffusion-based treatment for severe, non-infectious uveitis. ... ... (PRWEB) December 10, 2009 -- The National Eye Institute (NEI), ... a $2.18 million grant to Aciont Inc. to help fund ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Ambit Biosciences Initiates First Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AC220 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2Ambit Biosciences Initiates First Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AC220 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia 3Ambit Biosciences Initiates First Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AC220 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia 4Ambit Biosciences Initiates First Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AC220 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia 5Rosalie Dunn, Ph.D., Joins Gwathmey, Inc. as Chief Executive Officer 2Dendreon Announces Pricing of Common Stock Offering 2Dendreon Announces Pricing of Common Stock Offering 3NEI Awards a Two-Year $2.18 Million SBIR Grant to Aciont 2NEI Awards a Two-Year $2.18 Million SBIR Grant to Aciont 3
... in the Second Quarter of 2008, SAN ... that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,s (FDA) ... drug designation for,levofloxacin solution for inhalation for the ... other bacteria in patients,with cystic fibrosis. Levofloxacin is ...
... Set to Dramatically Improve Airway Inflammatory Disease ... Personalized Inflammation Control, NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J., March 4 ... MINO (http://www.nioxmino.com ), a,hand- held point-of-care device for ... the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).,Physicians in the ...
... Inc. (Nasdaq,CM: INSM), a developer of follow-on biologics and biopharmaceuticals, today,reported results ... 2007 and Recent Company Highlights, -- Follow-on Biologics Program ... Stimulating Factor or ... products to enter clinical trials in 2008; ...
Other Biology Technology:Mpex Candidate, MP-376, Granted U.S. Orphan Drug Status for the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis 2Mpex Candidate, MP-376, Granted U.S. Orphan Drug Status for the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis 3FDA Grants Market Clearance to Aerocrine Inc.'s NIOX MINO(R): a New Hand-Held Device to Measure Airway Inflammation in Asthma 2FDA Grants Market Clearance to Aerocrine Inc.'s NIOX MINO(R): a New Hand-Held Device to Measure Airway Inflammation in Asthma 3FDA Grants Market Clearance to Aerocrine Inc.'s NIOX MINO(R): a New Hand-Held Device to Measure Airway Inflammation in Asthma 4Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 2Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 3Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 4Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 5Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 6Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 7Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 8Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 9Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 10Insmed Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Financial Results 11
... DNA Engine Dyad thermal cycler is ... (PCR). The chassis accommodates a variety ... assemblies), which hold different types and ... graphical programming with point-and-click navigation. Peltier ...
... IHC Select Immunophosphatase Secondary Detection System is ... Select Prediluted Primary Antibody reagents, which contain ... identification of antigens by light microscopy in ... Detection System may also be used with ...
... FLISP Assay with SR-101 Labeled Substrates ... • Accurately measure serine protease activation ... • B-Bridge's FLISP Kits utilize cell-permeable, ... (FLISPs) to measure chymotrypsin-like activity in ...
From the company that first brought you the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) kit, a new and improved kit, EZ-ChIP, is now available to make your experiments easier, quicker, and most importantly,...
Biology Products: