Geneticists identify growth stunting gene

Scientists working with UCLA have identified the gene mutation responsible for IMAGe syndrome, a rare disorder which can stunt the growth of infants.

Intriguingly, the mutation occurs on the same gene which causes Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome – an occurrence which makes cells grow too fast, leading to extremely large children.

Principal investigator Dr Eric Vilain, professor of human genetics, paediatrics and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said: "We discovered a mutation in a tiny sliver of the chromosome that appeared in every family member affected by IMAGe syndrome."

He added that finding opposite functions which take place in the same gene is a "rare biological phenomenon".

Dr Vilain expressed the hope that this discovery will help improve the medical care offered to patients suffering from these syndromes.

Wellcome Trust senior research fellow at the UCL Institute of Child Health Dr John Achermann claimed the new work could give researchers an insight into how tumours form.