Key Allergy Gene Discovered By Munich Researchers & (separately) Epigenetics

[Guest guest]

Probably most of us already pretty well knew that there must be an

hereditary component to our allergies. At least 35 years ago an

allergist told me that they thought there was a genetic relationship

although nothing was proven. Funny how it strikes some and not

others. Allergies, per what I've read, are much less commonly found

in third world countries. Also, they don't seem to affect everyone

in a family. (My mother never had allergies yet her neice plus

myself, her daughter, had severe allergies.) Below is a partial

excerpt and URL to the article.

.... " scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen have pinpointed a

major gene for allergic diseases. ... The newly discovered FCER1A

gene encodes the alpha chain of high affinity IgE receptor, which

plays a major role in controlling allergic responses. ... certain

variations of the FCER1A gene decisively influence the production of

immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. IgE antibodies are a particular

type of antibody that is normally used to protect against parasites.

In Western lifestyle countries with less contact, however, elevated

IgE levels are associated with allergic disorders. ... Although in

its early stages, the new knowledge on the regulation of IgE

production does have the potential to guide the development of new

drugs. "

(p.s. - what is an alpha chain?)

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119090.php

Another program I found immensely interesting although not directly

addressing allergies per se was on PBS recently - " Ghosts In Your

Genes " This program indicates that what happened to our

grandparents seems to somehow write some sort of code to the genes

that turns up generations later. I can't help but wonder if this is

true for allergies also. This is a sort of indirect link to it.

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/librarymedia/marc_archive/archive/LC_MARC_

nova_genes.html

http://www.pbs.org/search/search_results.html?q=epigenetics & spell=1

[Guest guest]

I have also been curious for a long time about the inflammation piece

of the allergy puzzle. 2-3 years ago we had a thread about the

number of us who have family members with arthritis. So I am

wondering if the same gene is involved (somehow) and if it can

manifest in some as arthritis and in some as allergies. I don't

know.

Thanks for posting this.

Addy

--- In , " instdesgn1 " <instdesgn1@...>

wrote:

>

> Probably most of us already pretty well knew that there must be an

> hereditary component to our allergies. At least 35 years ago an

> allergist told me that they thought there was a genetic

relationship

> although nothing was proven. Funny how it strikes some and not

> others. Allergies, per what I've read, are much less commonly

found

> in third world countries. Also, they don't seem to affect everyone

> in a family. (My mother never had allergies yet her neice plus

> myself, her daughter, had severe allergies.) Below is a partial

> excerpt and URL to the article.

>

> ... " scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen have pinpointed a

> major gene for allergic diseases. ... The newly discovered FCER1A

> gene encodes the alpha chain of high affinity IgE receptor, which

> plays a major role in controlling allergic responses. ... certain

> variations of the FCER1A gene decisively influence the production

of

> immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. IgE antibodies are a particular

> type of antibody that is normally used to protect against

parasites.

> In Western lifestyle countries with less contact, however, elevated

> IgE levels are associated with allergic disorders. ... Although in

> its early stages, the new knowledge on the regulation of IgE

> production does have the potential to guide the development of new

> drugs. "

>

> (p.s. - what is an alpha chain?)

>

> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119090.php

>

> Another program I found immensely interesting although not directly

> addressing allergies per se was on PBS recently - " Ghosts In Your

> Genes " This program indicates that what happened to our

> grandparents seems to somehow write some sort of code to the genes

> that turns up generations later. I can't help but wonder if this

is

> true for allergies also. This is a sort of indirect link to it.

>

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/librarymedia/marc_archive/archive/LC_MARC_

> nova_genes.html

>

> http://www.pbs.org/search/search_results.html?q=epigenetics & spell=1

>