Genetics and Health

DR2a and DR2b Genes for Multiple Sclerosis

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on October 2nd, 2006

Two genes for multiple sclerosis (MS) appear to be inherited in tandem with one that worsens symptoms while the other dampens the first’s effect. In mice, the DR2a gene appears to limit DR2b’s ability to stimulate the immune system into attacking the body’s own central nervous system. Approximately two out of three people with MS have both copies of the genes.

Professor Lars Fugger:

The DR2b gene clearly tells the immune system to go hard into battle against the body’s own tissue, so it starts to work in a way that actually damages the person.

For this reason, natural selection has eliminated the gene on its own, but allowed it to be inherited only when it is accompanied by another gene [DR2a] which tempers its effect.

This is a new way to assess how genes contribute to autoimmune diseases overall.

BBC, October 2, 2006

Technorati Tags: genetics, genes, multiple sclerosis, dna, MS, diseases, illness, health, dr2a, dr2b

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POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease