Resistance gene
Resistance genes are genes that are located on plasmids , especially in bacteria and yeasts , and code for factors that make the cells resistant to, for example, antibiotics and heavy metals . Microbiology and genetic engineering often use antibiotic resistance genes as selective markers for the detection of vectors .
As resistance genes and plant genes are referred to, resistance to plant pathogens mediate. In green genetic engineering , genes are often introduced to impart resistance to herbicides or pests .
Resistance genes in humans are the mutations of sickle cell anemia and thalassemia . These mutations increase human resistance to malaria infections.
A large number of other resistance genes in humans appear to be hidden in other mutations. These mutations have hitherto been referred to as inborn errors of metabolism . However, they seem to cause an increased resistance to streptococci .
The Alzheimer's disease may be a mutation that leads to an increased resistance to streptococci. Alzheimer's disease is caused by a resistance gene to protect against brain infections.
Individual evidence
- ↑ F. Flachsbart, K.-H. Kraft, H. Mau: Streptococci - Pictures of a Disease. Grin Verlag, Munich, 2009 ISBN 978-3640286072
- ↑ Soscia SJ, Kirby JE, Washicosky KJ, et al. : The Alzheimer's disease-associated amyloid beta-protein is an antimicrobial peptide . In: PLoS ONE . 5, No. 3, 2010, p. E9505. doi : 10.1371 / journal.pone.0009505 . PMID 20209079 . PMC 2831066 (free full text).