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Marfan syndrome is a disorder of the connective tissue. Connective tissue provides strength and flexibility to structures throughout the body such as bones, ligaments, muscles, the walls of blood vessels, and heart valves. It is caused by a mutation in fibrillin, which decreases fibrillin production and increases TGF-B production. 90-95% of people with Marfan syndrome are able to identify their mutation on FBN1. The other 5-10% may have a mutation on another gene that affects the production of fibrillin which we have not yet discovered.

Marfan syndrome affects most organs and tissues, especially the skeleton, lungs, eyes, heart, and the large blood vessel that distributes blood from the heart to the rest of the body (the aorta). The signs and symptoms of Marfan syndrome vary widely in severity, timing of onset, and rate of progression. Affected individuals often are tall (as compared to unaffected family members) and slender, have elongated fingers and toes (arachnodactyly), and have an arm span that exceeds their body height. Other common features include unusually flexible joints, a long and narrow face, a highly arched roof of the mouth, crowded teeth, an abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis), and either a sunken chest (pectus excavatum) or a protruding chest (pectus carinatum). About half of all people with Marfan syndrome have vision problems caused by a dislocated lens (ectopia lentis) in one or both eyes, and most have some degree of nearsightedness (myopia). Clouding of the lens (cataract) may occur early on, even in childhood, and increased pressure within the eye (glaucoma) occurs more frequently in people with Marfan syndrome than in those without the condition.

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Q: What is the genetic cause of Marfan syndrome?
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Related questions

What is a Marfan Syndrome?

marfan syndrome is genetic disorder of connective tissue of the body. it cause a mutation of the gene that produces the protein fibrillin.


What important genetic characteristic does Marfan syndrome have?

Another important genetic characteristic of Marfan syndrome is variable expression.


Is marfan syndrome genetic?

yes


When can you get marfan syndrome?

Anyone can get Marfans syndrome, it is a genetic disorder.


When was the mutation responsible for Marfan syndrome discovered?

The genetic mutation responsible for Marfan was discovered in 1991.


What has the author O V Lisichenko written?

O. V. Lisichenko has written: 'Sindrom Marfana' -- subject(s): Genetic aspects, Genetic aspects of Marfan syndrome, Marfan syndrome


How common is marfan syndrome?

Marfan's syndrome is the most common genetic disorder of connective tissue. It occurs in about every 10,000 to 20,000 individuals.


What is marfansyndrome?

Marfan syndrome (also called Marfan's syndrome) is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. People with Marfan's tend to be unusually tall, with long limbs and long, thin fingers.


Does Marfan syndrome have a treatment?

While there is no cure for Marfan Syndrome (because it is a genetic disorder), there are ranges of treatment options can decrease (and even sometimes prevent) complications.


Is Marfan's symdrome a transmitted disease?

Marfan's syndrome is a genetic disorder, so one would inherit it from their biological parents. You can't "catch" marfans syndrome


Is Marfan Syndrome common in a specific race?

About 1 in 5,000 people have Marfan syndrome, including men and women of all races and ethnic groups. About 3 out of 4 people with Marfan syndrome inherit it, meaning they get the genetic mutation from a parent who has it. But some people with Marfan syndrome are the first in their family to have it; when this happens it is called a spontaneous mutation. There is a 50 percent chance that a person with Marfan syndrome will pass along the genetic mutation each time they have a child.


Are there any treatments for marfan syndrome?

While there is no cure for Marfan Syndrome (because it is a genetic disorder), there are ranges of treatment options can decrease (and even sometimes prevent) complications.