The
paper explains that Hutchinson-Gilford
Progeria (HGS), premature aging, is named after two 19th century men, Hutchinson and Gilford, who discovered the disease, which is a
mutation in one nitrogen
base in a cell. The author points out that progeria, a remarkably rare genetic condition in which this mutation causes
phenotypic symptoms comparative to that of an elderly person, can be seen in the DNA base on Chromosome 1. This codes for Lamin A (
LMNA), a protein specifically taking part in the membrane surrounding the cell's nucleus. The paper relates that, generally, the children look perfectly normal during their first or second year of life, but from then on, the
effects of HGS rapidly unfold; the average life span for a child is approximately 12-18 years. Many illustrations. Table of Contents Introduction Progeria What is It? Who has It? What are the Effects? Analogies The Records The Cure The Meaning behind it All
More abstracts about the Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome