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Birth Defects Resulting From Single Gene Defects. Categories of Factors Responsible for Birth Defects. Abnormalities of Individual Genes (Single Gene Defects) Chromosomal Abnormalities Intrauterine Injury Multifactorial Circumstances. How Genetic Errors Cause Disease.
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Categories of Factors Responsible for Birth Defects Abnormalities of Individual Genes (Single Gene Defects) Chromosomal Abnormalities Intrauterine Injury Multifactorial Circumstances
How Genetic Errors Cause Disease • If there are errors in the gene (bases are missing or out of order) then the protein synthesis becomes confused. • This confusion can result in defective protein construction. • The function that was supposed to occur is halted creating pathology.
Single Gene Disorders • Over 4,000 have been identified • Most are recessive • Examples: • Recessive-- Sickle Cell Anemia, PKU, Tay Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis • Dominant-- Huntington’s Chorea, Marfan’s Syndrome • Sex-linked-- Hemophilia, Color Blindness
Recessive Inheritance Parent Status Possible Outcomes n n n nn nn d dn dn One Heterozygous 50% Carrier 0 Expression d n n dn nn d dd dn 50% Carrier 25% Expression Both Heterozygous One Homozygous One Free n n d dn dn d dn dn 100% Carrier
Categories of Factors Responsible for Birth Defects • Abnormalities of Individual Genes • (Single Gene Defects) • Chromosomal Abnormalities • Intrauterine Injury • Multifactorial Circumstances
Sickle Cell Anemia • Occurs when the gene that codes for glutamic acid codes wrong and instead codes for valine which doesn’t bind well with O2. • This causes cells to become sickle shaped • Sickle shaped cells do not circulate well and clog capillaries easily
Sickle Cell Anemia • Epidemiology: • 8% or 1/12 of African Americans carry the gene • 1/400 have sickle cell • A blood test is available to determine if one carries the gene • In utero determination is also available • An example of co-dominance: • both alleles are fully expressed in the heterozygous state
Sickle Cell Anemia Syndrome • Anemia- red cells live only 10-20 days as opposed to • 120 • 2. Clotting- loss of blood flow to tissue = pain • 3. Infection- due to poor delivery of blood • 4. Dactylitis- swelling of hands and feet • 5. Physical development- Stunted • 6. Lower life expectancy- Males: 42 Females: 48
Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment • Rest • Hydration • Analgesia • Transfusion therapy • Prophylactic antibiotics • Oxygen therapy
Cystic Fibrosis • Epidemiology: • Most common lethal genetic disorder in the Caucasian population. • Estimates are that 1/25 people may be carriers • Syndrome: • Defect alters the way epithelial calls transport sodium and chloride ions • Disease targets the lungs and pancreas
Cystic fibrosis Syndrome • Respiratory insufficiency • Poor growth • Malnutrition • Life expectancy varies from a few years to the 30’s
Inborn Errors of Metabolism ENZYMOPATHIES Precursors Enzyme Product A Alternate Route Product B lack of end product precursor accumulation secondary product accumulation loss of feedback inhibition
PKU (Phenylketonuria)Secondary Product Accumulation • Syndrome: • The body cannot breakdown the protein phenylanine. • The infant appears healthy the first year then gradually develops retardation as a result of nervous system damage caused by excess acid in cells. • Epidemiology: • 1/14,000 white babies • 1/300,000 black babies
PKU • Treatment: • Special diet is available in which foods containing phenylalanine are removed thus eliminating secondary product accumulation. • Prevention: • A screening test at birth is routine. • This test has proven to be very cost effective. • Special diet is available in which foods containing phenylalanine are removed thus eliminating secondary product accumulation.
Tay Sachs Disease • Syndrome: • Hexosaminidase, the enzyme responsible for lipid metabolism is absent • The cells are unable to break down fat • The build up of lipids (ganglioside) occurs in the nerve cells • The child will begin to lose developmental skills at about six months and deteriorate until death by age four. • Prevention: • Screening for carriers of the gene and screening of the fetus.
Other In-Born Errors of Metabolism 1. Albinism- enzyme is missing to produce melanin 2. Familial Hypothyroidism- loss of feedback inhibition 3.Sex-linked / x-linked inheritance- a. Color blindness b. Hemophilia
Categories of Factors Responsible for Birth Defects Abnormalities of Individual Genes (Single Gene Defects) Sickle Cell Anemia Cystic Fibrosis Phenylketonuria Tay Sachs Disease Albinism Familial Hypothyroidism Hemophilia