Natural Science Forum / Biology / Biology / January 2004

Genes have funny names.  There really isn't a "negative gene" for
schizophrenia or Lou Gehrig's disease all all those other bad things.
These really are "good" genes that make products essential for cell
function.  It is only when these genes don't work properly because of
a mutation that the disease occurs.  The gene superoxide dismutase 1
(SOD1) that, when modified, causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou
Gehrig's disease) normally is part of the protection machinery of the
cell to eliminate toxic superoxide radicals. It really is a "positive"
gene!

Chromosome 21 has the gene for the anyloid precursor protein.  Of
course, when something goes wrong with the processing of this protein,
you get the plaques of Alzheimer's disease.   But you can't say that
the gene "causes" Alzheimer's.  It produces a protein found in the
cell membrane of many cells. (APP)

Chromosome 21 has the gene for a glutamate receptor, one of the
receptors essential for synptic activity and normal nervous system
function (GLIK1 or GLUR5)

There is a neural cell adhesion molecule gene, this protein is
necessary for proper nervous system development (NCAM2)

Another protein necessary for nervous system function is a particular
kind of potassium channel, inwardly rectifiying type J6 (KCNJ6)

The enzyme enterokinase is, more technically, a serine protease, and
catalyzes the conversion of trypsinogen to trypsin in the small
intestine.  It is necessary for digestion. (PRSS7 or ENTK)

You can search for more information on these genes using the gene name
in parenthesis.