Patients with β\betaβ-thalassemia have defects in their adult haemoglobin, but not in their fetal haemoglobin.
When a baby is born, a gene called ZBTB7A produces a protein that switches off the production of fetal haemoglobin.
Scientists are researching new therapies for β\betaβ-thalassemia by targeting the ZBTB7A gene.
How could a treatment targeting the ZBTB7A gene work to treat β\betaβ-thalassemia?
Disabling all the ribosomes in the cells to prevent protein synthesis
Genetically engineering cells by inserting extra copies of the ZBTB7A gene
Ensuring that the translation of the ZBTB7A gene continues at a high rate in adult cells
Preventing the ZBTB7A gene from being expressed, so that transcription of the fetal haemoglobin gene continues