An extended family living in
the American mid-west state of Lowa has helped scientists
to find the first gene that unequivocally causes heart
attacks in late middle age.
The family has an extensive history of heart attacks
with the risk highest at about the age of 60. A heart
attack becomes almost inevitable in members of the family
who have inherited a defect in gene known to be involved
in the formation of blood vessels.
Eric Topol Cleveland Clinic Foundation on Ohi said
that although the genetic defect has only been found
in this family, its discovery could lead to a better
understanding of heart attacks in the general population.
"This stands out because of its potential impact.
It's a great first step towards understanding the basis
of coronary artery disease at its genetic studies that
once you get the first gene it starts to unlock whole
story".
Doctors eventually traced 26 closed family members
with heart problems. The researcher took blood samples
for DNA analysis in the hope of finding a common genetic
link to the discover.
The study found that a region of chromosome 15 - one
of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human genome -
contained a linkage "hotspot" that was known
from previous studies to include a gene called MEF2A.
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