| Mutation causes
rare gum disease
A mutated gene on
chromosome 11 that encodes a protein called cathepsin C causes a rare,
severe form of periodontitis.
References:
Toomes, C. . . .
and N.S. Thakker. 1999. Loss-of-function mutations in the cathepsin C
gene result in periodontal disease and palmoplantar keratosis. Nature
Genetics 23(December):421.
Further Readings:
1997. A look at
dental diseases and treatments. Consumers’ Research Magazine
80(February):20.
Lass, M.W., et
al. 1997. Localisation of a gene for Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome to
chromosome 11q14-q21 by homozygosity mapping. Human Genetics 101:376.
Nuckolls, G.H.,
and H.C. Slavkin. 1999. Paths of glorious proteases. Nature Genetics
23(December):378.
Sources:
Christopher A.
McCulloch
University of Toronto
Fitzgerald Building
Room 244
150 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E8
Canada
Nalin S. Thacker
St. Mary’s Hospital
Department of Medical Genetics
Manchester
United Kingdom
From Science
News, Vol. 156, No. 23, December 4, 1999, p. 358. Copyright ©
1999, Science Service. |