Columbia University researchers discovered that some cells selectively inactivate one parent’s copy of a gene, affecting disease outcomes. This phenomenon could explain why some carriers of disease-causing genes don’t exhibit symptoms. The study focused on immune cells but could apply to other genetic conditions. The findings propose a new approach to diagnosing and treating inherited diseases by considering gene activity patterns in addition to DNA. By understanding selective gene inactivation, researchers may be able to switch a patient’s gene expression pattern to suppress undesirable copies, potentially treating genetic diseases. This new paradigm could revolutionize genetic disease treatment in the future.
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Unveiling the role of gene inactivation in human disease
