Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a genetic flaw in a family suffering with schizophrenia that may help to explain an important biochemical process implicated in the onset of the disease. Genomics & Genetics Weekly via NewsEdge Corporation : Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a genetic flaw in a family suffering with schizophrenia that may help to explain an important biochemical process implicated in the onset of the disease. Studying a British mother and daughter, the researchers discovered that both were found to have a "break" in a large gene on human chromosome 14, due to a rearranged chromosome. The broken gene is a member of a family of similar genes affecting brain development and function. The genes in this group are involved in behavior, memory and regulating day/night cycles. "The fact that these genes - important in brain development and behavior - are broken, cuts off important functions of the corresponding protein, particularly the ability to bind to DNA. Binding to DNA is an important way proteins can control the expression of other genes," said Professor Diane Cox, chair of the medical genetics department. "We believe this gene has all the features expected for a gene contributing to mental illness in this family." Under the supervision of Cox, the work was conducted by PhD graduate student, Deepak Kamnasaran, and is published in the Journal of Medical Genetics. Cox pointed out that schizophrenia is a complex disease and many genes are likely associated with its cause and development. "Our work isn't the whole story, but it helps us put in place a key piece of the puzzle that we can further explore." The authors include Kamnasaran (former University of Alberta graduate student, now a postdoctoral fellows at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto); Dr. Walter Muir (psychiatrist, Royal Edinburgh Hospital); Professor Malcolm Ferguson-Smith (Centre for Veterinary Science, Cambridge); and Cox (Medical Genetics, University of Alberta) (Disruption of the neuronal PAS3 gene in a family affected with schizophrenia. J Med Genet, 2003;40(5):325-32). Funding for the work was provided by the March of Dimes (USA) and studentships to Kamnasaran from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. This article was prepared by Genomics & Genetics Weekly editors from staff and other reports. <> << Copyright ©2003 NewsRx.com >>
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