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Article: HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE IMPACTS SKIN CELLS
- Article from:
- United Press International
- Article date:
- July 30, 2004
CopyrightProvided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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United Press International
07-30-2004
Huntington's disease impacts skin cells
BELMONT, Mass., Jul 30, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The genetic mutation that causes Huntington's disease affects skin cells as well as brain cells, U.S. scientists have found.
The protein huntintin is mutated in Huntington's disease carriers. Though the normal protein is found in most cells of the body, only neurons in certain susceptible areas of the brain seem to be damaged. Scientists are unsure why.
Researchers at Harvard University's McLean Hospital have now discovered that skin cells, too, are affected by Huntington's. Proteasome activity in both brain neuron cells and skin cells is ...