Hidden threat

Scientists: there are dangerous mutations in the genome of every person

Copper news based on ScienceDaily – Hidden burden: Most people carry recurrent disease mutations

The staff of the University of Chicago found out that there is at least one harmful mutation in the genome of each person. Inheritance by offspring of two alleles of a defective gene leads to the development of serious diseases and even intrauterine death.

Previously, scientists tried to predict how often harmful mutations are inherited, but the data obtained were based on the study of closely related marriages. The new study examines the genealogical data of the Hutterites, a religious community that settled in North America in the 1870s.

For two decades, study co-author Carole Ober collaborated with a group of Hutterites from North Dakota. They provided a family tree that contained information about members of the community up to the 13th generation. Scientists analyzed the frequency of harmful mutations among hutterites and came to the conclusion that each member of the community had one or two defective genes that lead to serious diseases in offspring.

"This is probably not an accurate estimate, but these data are more correct than previously received information. In this case, there was no influence of socio-economic factors," the scientists said.

Most genetic mutations in human DNA are represented by recessive alleles of the gene, that is, they are harmless to their carrier, but dangerous to offspring. If there is the same harmful mutation in the genome of future parents, then the child may develop a serious disease, and in particularly severe cases, the manifestation of mutations leads to intrauterine fetal death.

Article by Gao et al. An Estimate of the Average Number of Recurrent Lethal Mutations Carried by Humans is published in the open access journal Genetics – VM.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru 09.04.2015