Study reveals water's role in rare autism
SCIENTISTS have discovered that water plays a key role in causing an autism condition affecting one in 100,000 girls.
The insight into the cause of the neurological disorder Rett's syndrome has been uncovered in a study at Edinburgh University.
The autism spectrum disorder is known to be caused by a protein, called Mecp2, which blocks a gene in human DNA and prevents it from functioning.
Researchers discovered that Rett's syndrome is caused by the Mecp2 protein interacting with water trapped around the DNA rather than reacting directly with the DNA itself.
Professor Adrian Bird, who took part in the study, said: "We thought this process involved oily components sticking together, but we didn't expect oily contact to depend on water – because, of course, oil and water don't mix.
"The discovery has enabled us to understand the reasons why the mutated proteins fail to function properly in Rett patients."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
