Protein May Treat Genetic Blood Disorders
Posted on: Tuesday, 11 April 2006, 12:00 CDT
Scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University have identified the role of a protein that may one day help treat genetic blood disorders.
The Massey Cancer Center researchers say the protein is involved in hemoglobin gene silencing and might lead to treatments for such genetic blood disorders as sickle-cell anemia and beta-thalassemia on the molecular level.
The scientists say the protein MBD2 mediates silencing of the fetal gamma-globin gene through DNA methylation, a process that chemically modifies DNA.
Understanding how these epigenetic switches turn specific genes on and off, and identifying the important proteins involved, could lead to more targeted ways to reactivate genes and determine if there is a therapeutic benefit for particular diseases, said Dr. Gordon Ginder, the center's director and lead author of the study.
Epigenetics refers to the study of the modifications of DNA and the surrounding proteins found in chromosomes that turn genes on and off and that can be passed on after cell division in an individual.
The research is detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Source: United Press International
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