Genes & Cells

Genetics of wrinkly dogs, plus cancer killers and diabetes thwarters in this week’s news

DNA that wrinkles dogs
A duplicated piece of DNA gives Shar-Pei dogs their wrinkles, but also causes familial Shar-Pei fever, a disease characterized by high fevers and swelling. The extra DNA, discovered by an international team of researchers, helps turn on the HAS2 gene, leading to production of hyaluronic acid.