When enough is enough: genetic diseases associated with transcriptional derepression

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2004 Jun;14(3):301-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2004.04.010.

Abstract

For many human genetic diseases, the underlying genetic defect has been determined. Thus, although traditionally a field only for researchers in medicine or human genetics, human diseases are now opening up to molecular biologists, cell biologists and biochemists. Here we discuss four human genetic disorders, Familial Alzheimer's disease, Rett syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome and Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, and how investigations into these diseases are providing important lessons about human biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome / genetics
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Rett Syndrome / genetics
  • Transcriptional Activation*

Substances

  • Repressor Proteins