Genes for jaundice

The inheritable causes of jaundice comprise a large group of conditions of varying frequency, from Gilbert's syndrome which is relatively common, to t he very rare Crigler-Najjar syndrome. Although these conditions have been w ell characterized clinically and in some cases biochemically, the underlyin g molecular defects were unknown because of a lack of knowledge about the p rocess of bile secretion by hepatocytes. The recent cloning of several tran sporters for bile acids and other organic anions has enabled a greater unde rstanding of this process and allowed correlation of the malfunction of the se genes with specific disease processes. This new knowledge will provide f or precision in diagnosis, allow antenatal testing and provide opportunitie s for gene therapy for some of the more serious disorders.