HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Genetic cause of sudden infant death in African Americans

Steve A.N. Goldstein and colleagues from the Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago have found that a specific mutation, called S1103Y, in a heart protein known as SCN5A is associated with a dramatic, 24-fold increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in African American infants. The authors show that this mutant protein, when exposed to acidic conditions (which can be caused by low blood oxygen levels when infants are placed in the face-down or "prone" sleeping position), malfunctions in a way that has been previously shown to trigger an irregular heartbeat. The study, which appears in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests the existence of a genetic predisposition to SIDS and also demonstrates a relationship between genes and the environment in the development of this fatal syndrome.

In an accompanying commentary, Jonathan Makielski from the University of Wisconsin writes, "These findings provide an excellent illustration of a causal relationship between the interaction of the environment and genetic background in SIDS. For families of SIDS victims, a clear delineation of risk factors, both genetic and environmental, will be instrumental in identifying children who may benefit from therapeutic intervention."

TITLE: A common cardiac sodium channel variant associated with sudden infant death in African Americans, SCN5A S1103Y


'"/>

Contact: Brooke Grindlinger
press_releases@the-jci.org
212-342-9006
Journal of Clinical Investigation
1-Feb-2006


Page: 1

Related biology news :

1. Genetic variation helps to understand predisposition to schizophrenia
2. Genetic factors strongly shape how peers are chosen
3. Genetic analysis finds greater threat in frog-killing fungus
4. Genetic diversity in honeybee colonies boosts productivity
5. 2007-2008 Genzyme/ACMGF Clinical Genetics Fellowship In Biochemical Genetics award winner announced
6. Maynard Olson receives $500,000 Gruber Genetics Prize
7. Genetic defect links respiratory disease and congenital heart disease
8. Cell Press announces new partnership with the American Society of Human Genetics
9. Genetic fellow traveler discovered in Alzheimers
10. Genetic roots of bipolar disorder revealed by first genome-wide study of illness
11. Health disparities -- Genetics, society and race play an important role in access to healthcare

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Genetic cause sudden infant death African Americans

(Date:5/23/2013)... Science , Automated conserved noncoding ... promoter evolution among grasses , Within the genome ... DNA that undergo little change in position and sequence ... any proteins. Some of these evolutionarily stable sequences, so-called ... expression of other genes or the condensation of chromosomes, ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Tomatoes, said to be the world,s most popular fruit, ... UK research with purple GM varieties. , "Working ... only by the addition of a specific compound, allows ... traits," said Professor Cathie Martin from the John Innes ... varieties with better flavour, health and shelf life characteristics ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Wash. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory honored more ... commercialization of intellectual property at PNNL,s annual Intellectual ... , The Department of Energy national laboratory named ... for his work developing battery materials that can ... the electrical grid, and reduce the time it ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Frontiers news briefs: May 23 2Frontiers news briefs: May 23 3The world's favorite fruit only better-tasting and longer-lasting 2PNNL staff recognized for scientific accomplishments, moving technologies into the marketplace 2
(Date:5/23/2013)... 23, 2013 The maker community is ... of inventions. They focus on learning practical skills while ... gravitate toward bringing their ideas to life via crowdfunding. ... works on making projects using biology. Glowing Plant has ... to make them glow with bioluminescence genes, and has ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... MARINO, Calif. , May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ ... today a strategic alliance with DAK Renewable Research ... the corn oil yield. VG Energy is a ... (OTC Pink: VGLS). VG Energy,s exclusively ... to increase the oil yield in plants, possessing ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013 Virobay, Inc. today announced that their ... an important milestone, as Virobay has now initiated a ... cathepsin S inhibitor.   The first Phase ... study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and ... "The initiation of this Phase 1 trial ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... On April 19th the Center for Disease ... the growing antibiotic resistant bacteria that may be lurking ... study were released late last month showing higher antibiotic ... years. For those suffering from bacteria driven acne, Probiotic ... in food, may eventually help breed acne causing bacteria. ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Glowing Plant Releases Maker Kit, Enabling Anyone to Make a Glowing Plant at Home 2VG Energy Enters into a Strategic Alliance with DAK Renewable Research for LipidMax Field Trials 2VG Energy Enters into a Strategic Alliance with DAK Renewable Research for LipidMax Field Trials 3Virobay, Inc. initiates a Phase 1 Trial of VBY-036, a compound intended for the treatment of neuropathic pain 2Virobay, Inc. initiates a Phase 1 Trial of VBY-036, a compound intended for the treatment of neuropathic pain 3Acne Cream, Probiotic Action Shares News on How Some Food may Breed Acne Causing Bacteria 2
Cached News: