I happened to read through the "Setting Scoliosis Straight Handbook" published in Scoliosis Research Society (SRS). "What causes scoliosis….carrying a heavy backpack, not drinking enough milk, poor posture? No, scoliosis isn't caused by anything that you did or didn't do. It is a genetic condition." I am quite surprised to read these sentences due to many doctors and publication mentioned that the cause of scoliosis is unknown. Therefore, I decided to do further reading regarding this statement and share with you all. Hope we can learn more on scoliosis matter.
According to News Medical, "a defect in the gene -- known as CHD7 -- leads to the C- and S-shaped curves that characterize scoliosis."
What is CHD7? CHD7 stand for Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 gene. The CHD7 gene provides instructions for making a protein called chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 and it is critical in many basic functions in the cell. Mutations in CHD7 might cause CHARGE syndrome (coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae).
In this research, "they found that patients with scoliosis very often had a defect in the gene's non-coding region, meaning that the error did not disrupt production of the CHD7 protein. The researchers speculate that this particular mutation alters the binding of a molecule that controls whether the gene is turned on. In this case, they think the gene is turned off more often than it should be, which reduces the amount of CHD7 protein produced."
It is a bit to technical for me to digest. I hope those who read this article can share and explain more details to us. Thanks.
News Medical, 2007, "Scoliosis Gene Found" http://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/06/26/26897.aspx
