The Department of Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell leads a dynamic and innovative translational research program, advancing diverse fields such as Genetic Therapy and Personalized Medicine.
Our translational research program aims to leverage our expertise in genetic therapies and personalized medicine to develop clinical solutions that target the molecular causes of human diseases.
The Department of Genetic Medicine advances treatments and diagnostics through diverse clinical trials, including drug testing and research to better understand diseases.
The Department of Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell leads a dynamic and innovative translational research program, advancing diverse fields such as Genetic Therapy and Personalized Medicine.
Our translational research program aims to leverage our expertise in genetic therapies and personalized medicine to develop clinical solutions that target the molecular causes of human diseases.
The Department of Genetic Medicine advances treatments and diagnostics through diverse clinical trials, including drug testing and research to better understand diseases.
Emphysema associated with complete absence of alpha 1- antitrypsin in serum and the homozygous inheritance [corrected] of a stop codon in an alpha 1-antitrypsin-coding exon.
Publication Type
Case Report
Authors
Satoh K, Nukiwa T, Brantly M, Garver R, Hofker M, Courtney M, Crystal R
Homozygous inheritance of the null bellingham alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) gene is associated with early-onset emphysema, resulting from the lack of alpha 1AT to protect the lung from neutrophil elastase. Cloning and sequencing of the null bellingham gene demonstrated that the promoter region, coding exons, and all exon-intron junctions were normal except for a single base substitution in exon III, causing the normal lys217 (AAG) to become a stop codon (TAG). Evaluation of genomic DNA of family members by using oligonucleotides directed toward this region demonstrated that the index case had inherited this mutation in a homozygous fashion. Although the consequences to the individual (i.e., emphysema) are identical to those associated with the common homozygous Z mutation, the homozygous null bellingham form of alpha 1AT deficiency has a very different genetic basis.