Academic researchers studying families with gene defects that caused bad cholesterol levels to soar had uncovered key biology responsible for cholesterol production.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Among families with parkin mutations, 13 had at least one member with mutations on both copies of the gene, while in 10 families affected members had a single mutated copy of parkin.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Gene 'predicts' Parkinson's onset

How are the gene mutations associated with Lynch syndrome passed through families?

CNN: Lynch syndrome

The McGill researchers found the families shared a variation of the Parkin gene and a neighbouring gene called PACRG which are both found on chromosome 6.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Gene fault increases leprosy risk

In a subgroup of families who had identical chromosome markers, those with no mutations in the gene developed symptoms at an average age of about 61, those with a single abnormal copy of parkin at around age 50, and those who inherited two mutated copies had onset at around age 36.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Gene 'predicts' Parkinson's onset

Mutated versions of the gene are believed to be responsible for up to a third of cases of breast cancer in families with a history of the disease.

BBC: Prostate cancer linked to mutant gene