Gene+Mutations+Linked+To+Hereditary+Lung+Disease

[|Science Daily]  March 27,2007

Scientist recently discovered a genetic mutation that can be fatal. IPF or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is scarring on the lungs. This disease affects 50,000 Americans annually and is often fatal. Scientist studied 73 people with this disease and eight percent of them had mutations in gene that made the enzymes that lengthens the ends of the chromosome. With these mutations the ends of the chromosomes wear down very quickly. In one family, a member had short chromosomes and also seven younger relatives had the same gene mutation but did not have IPF. Small telomerase can also be a result of smoking and old age. Scientist thought that IPF was caused by an immune attack and tried to find medication, to cure it but it is a hereditary thing it could be in your genes. ALittle March 11, 2010