Phenylketonuria (PKU)

The PAH gene produces an enzyme that breaks down the amino acid phenylalanine. Mutations in the PAH gene can cause phenylketonuria (PKU), a disorder that can change cells in the brain. The faulty protein allows dangerously high levels of phenylalanine to accumulate in the brain, poisoning the cells. If a person with PKU consumes too much phenylalanine, the build-up can cause mental retardation.

phenylketonuria pku,faulty protein,pku phenylketonuria,phenylalanine,pah,mental retardation,amino acid,mutations,cells,brain

  • ID: 15905
  • Source: DNALC.DNAi

Related Content

15964. What causes phenylketonuria?

The PAH gene produces an enzyme that breaks down the amino acid phenylalanine. Mutations in the PAH gene can cause phenylketonuria (PKU), a disorder that can change cells in the brain.

  • ID: 15964
  • Source: DNAi

15963. What is phenylketonuria?

The PAH gene produces an enzyme that breaks down the amino acid phenylalanine. Mutations in the PAH gene can cause phenylketonuria (PKU), a disorder that can change cells in the brain.

  • ID: 15963
  • Source: DNAi

15882. Breaking the code

Marshall Nirenberg and Heinrich Matthaei used poly-U mRNA in a cell-free system to make a polyphenylalanine protein chain. This showed that UUU must be the code that specifies the amino acid phenylalanine.

  • ID: 15882
  • Source: DNAi

15945. What is Fragile X?

The FMR1 gene produces a protein involved in making cellular connections in the brain.

  • ID: 15945
  • Source: DNAi

15898. Fragile X syndrome

The FMR1 gene produces a protein involved in making cellular connections in the brain. If this gene carries many repeats of the nucleotides CGG at one end, it is deactivated. People with this mutation display mental impairments or retardation. Fragile X s

  • ID: 15898
  • Source: DNAi

15946. What causes Fragile X?

The FMR1 gene produces a protein involved in making cellular connections in the brain. If this gene carries many repeats of the nucleotides CGG at one end, it is deactivated. People with this mutation display mental impairments or retardation. Fragile X s

  • ID: 15946
  • Source: DNAi

15498. Hemoglobin and sickle cell anemia, 3D animation with no audio

This animation shows hemoglobin proteins of a person with sickle cell anemia.

  • ID: 15498
  • Source: DNAi

15350. The RNA code for phenylalanine, Marshall Nirenberg

Marshall Nirenberg talks about the RNA code for phenylalanine.

  • ID: 15350
  • Source: DNAi

884. Background to Autism

Autism is a disorder in brain development that becomes apparent in earliest childhood. It is defined by problems in socialization, communication, and repetitive behaviors.

  • ID: 884
  • Source: G2C

15679. Translation, small still image

Small image depicting translation.

  • ID: 15679
  • Source: DNAi