China Discovers New Genes that Cause Parkinson's Disease

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, February 23, 2003

China Discovers New Genes that Cause Parkinson's Disease

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Chinese scientists were recently the first in the world to discover two new mutational genes that are highly related to familial Parkinson's disease, a progressive chronic disorder of the central nervous system characterized by impaired muscular coordination and tremors.

The Britain-based Nature Genetics journal's first edition of this year reported the findings of the research team headed by Le Weidong with the Ruijin Hospital affiliated to the Shanghai No. 2 Medical College in this largest metropolis of east China.

Le and his team found that two protein genes on the human No. 2 chromosome are mutational, and may affect the growth and maturity of dopamine nerve cells, which are believed to be an important factor behind Parkinson's disease.

The Chinese scientists analyzed 201 Parkinson's patients in terms of genetics and gene mutation and made comparisons among 221selected patients from different age, sex and racial groups. They found that gene mutation plays a significant role among patients of familial Parkinson's.

The newfound mutational genes affect dopamine nerve cells in two respects, according to Professor Le. They may help reduce the function of dopamine nerve cells in trans-genetic cells, leading to a decrease in synthesized dopamine. On the other hand, they maycontribute to a reduction in the expression of lymphatic cells.

The finding may be used for diagnosis, consulting and treatment of Parkinson's in terms of genetics.

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