Israeli researchers have discovered that Gentamicin, an antibiotic used to treat common eye infections may have the ability to correct a genetic flaw in those who have the ‘stop mutation’ type of cystic fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is a potentially deadly disease affecting 30000 people in the United Stated alone.
Cystic Fibrosis is due to a mutation within the genes which disrupts the transcription of protein in the cell. The particular ‘stop mutation’ in the gene sends out an order which halts the production the protein responsible for the release of chlorine ions and water in and out of the cell, trapping mucous within the cell, resulting in the lungs constantly being clogged with mucous, causing infections.
Studies in Israel have shown that by administering the antibiotic nasally, on nasal passage of children who have well defined mutations in their genes, that the gene corrects the mutation within the cells of the nasal tissue. This allows chlorine ions and water to be released from the cell enabling mucous to be washed out of the nose. Although no testing on the lungs have been performed as of yet, the results look very promising in correcting the stop gene mutation, and treating those affected by this type of Cystic Fibrosis.
