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Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome ( Hgps ) Essay

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Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Introduction Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) affects approximately 1 in 4-8 million newborns. It is characterized by rapid aging, but no symptoms are seen at birth. Within a year, infected children start showing symptoms such as a receding jaw, pointy nose, partial to total hair loss (alopecia), fat loss, bone disfigurements, a short stature and skin problems (Pollex 2004). The disease progresses with time, and eventually leads to death at an average age of about 13 years. Death is usually caused by some form of cardiovascular disease, usually induced by atherosclerosis (Wuyts et al. 2005). Most cases of HGPS are due to de novo autosomal dominant point mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA). There are some reported cases suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance, but further testing needs to be performed. Mapping The LMNA gene was first mapped using in situ hybridization. The gene was detected using clone LA-6, while the hybridization signals were detected using rhodamine-anti-digoxigenin. The samples were analyzed and photographed using a fluorescence microscope. Metaphase figures obtained from the photographs were observed to determine the amount of figures that probed for LMNA. The results showed that 90% of the metaphase figures probed for lamin A/C (Wydner et al. 1996). After analyzing the bands, LMNA was localized to chromosome 1q21.3, giving the chromosomal position of the LMNA gene. Cloning The disease gene was

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