. One explanation suggests that the huntingtin protein, produced by the CAG letters, interacts with the “huntingtin associated protein 1” in the striatum part of the brain and therefore caused problems in that part of the brain. When there is more huntingtin protein the interaction is stronger. Studies have also found that the “huntingtin associated protein 1” is only found in that part of the brain. Testing for the GeneThis recent discovery of the HD gene allowed scientists to devise pre-symptomatic tests for Huntington’s Disease. It involves extracting DNA from the person’s blood sample and using a procedure known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).PCR can make numerous copies of a specific section in an individual’s DNA. PCR involves cycles of heating and cooling the DNA. The DNA is usually twisted into a double helix. When it is untwisted, we can see that the sides of the DNA strand holds the bases together. The bases contain the pairs A and T, C and G. We can also say that DNA exists in double strandsThe sample is melted to make all the DNA single stranded so that the corresponding bases are separated from the side that is going to be tested.The DNA is cooled and primers find their target sequences producing small sections of double-stranded DNA. Primers also contain bases that would be corresponding to the target sequences we are trying to find in the individual’s DNA. In this case, when the sequences CAG needs to be found the corresponding GTC sequence makes up the primer.The sections of the DNA with that still remain single stranded are discarded. The lengths of the double strands are then compared with size markers (bits of normal DNA). If the strands are too long it means that there are more than normal repeats of CAG.Managing the DiseaseAs well as the physical effects of the disease, there are also psychological and emotional problems relating to the reactions o...
