The JAK2 enzyme has been the focus of research lately for treatment for myelofibrosis (MF). One of the newest and most bright treatments for MF is a do drugs that stops or slows down how often the JAK2 enzyme is workings. This helps slow down the disease.

Keep reading material to learn about the JAK2 enzyme, and how it relates to the JAK2 gene.

To better understand the JAK2 gene and enzyme, it's implemental to have a basic understanding of how genes and enzymes bring on in concert in our bodies.

Our genes are the instructions or blueprints for our bodies to function. We consume a set out of these book of instructions inside every cell of our torso. They tell our cells how to make proteins, which go on to make enzymes.

The enzymes and proteins relay messages to other parts of the consistence to execute convinced tasks, such as helping with digestion, promoting cadre growth, OR protecting our body from infections.

As our cells grow and watershed, our genes within the cells pot get mutations. The cellphone passes that mutation happening to every cell it creates. When a gene gets a variation, it can make the blueprints difficult to learn.

Sometimes, the mutation creates a mistake so unreadable that the electric cell pot't make any protein. Other times, the mutation causes the protein to work overtime operating room to stay perpetually soured on. When a mutation disrupts the protein and enzyme function, it can cause disease in the body.

The JAK2 gene gives our cells instructions for making the JAK2 protein, which encourages the growth of cells. The JAK2 cistron and enzyme are identical important for controlling the growth and production of cells.

They're especially important for the growth and production of blood cells. The JAK2 enzyme is hard at oeuvre in the stem cells in our bone marrow. Also known as hematopoietic stanch cells, these cells are responsible for creating brand-new blood cells.

Mutations found in people with MF cause the JAK2 enzyme to always continue aroused. This means that the JAK2 enzyme is constantly practical, which leads to overrun of cells titled megakaryocytes.

These megakaryocytes distinguish other cells to release collagen. As a result, scar tissue paper starts to build up in the bone essence — the telltale sign of MF.

Mutations in JAK2 are also linked to other blood disorders. Most frequently, the mutations are linked to a condition called polycythemia vera (PV). In PV, the JAK2 chromosomal mutation causes uncontrolled origin cell production.

Approximately 10 to 15 pct of people with PV will go happening to evolve MF. Researchers don't bed what causes some people with JAK2 mutations to develop MF piece others develop PV instead.

Because JAK2 mutations have been found in much half of people with MF, and concluded 90 percent of people with PV, it has been the subject of many research projects.

There's only one FDA-approved drug, titled ruxolitinib (Jakafi), that works with the JAK2 enzymes. This drug full treatmen as a JAK inhibitor, meaning that it slows down the activity of JAK2.

When the enzyme activity is slowed down, the enzyme isn't always turned on. This leads to less megakaryocyte and collagen production, finally deceleration the scar tissue buildup in MF.

The drug ruxolitinib as wel regulates the yield of blood cells. It does this by deceleration the function of JAK2 in hematopoietic stem cells. This makes it helpful in some PV and MF.

Currently, there are many clinical trials focusing on other JAK inhibitors. Researchers are also working along how to misrepresent this gene and enzyme to hopefully find a better treatment or a cure for MF.