problems with gene expression

FOP is characterised by the growth of bones in odd places , such as within muscle and connective tissue.

FOP is an inherited condition caused by a gene mutation

with FOP genes are expressed that produce the proteins needed to become a specialised bone cell. people with FOP have one gene that is not switched off in their white blood cells.

when tissue is damaged white blood cells produce the protein which diffuses into surrounding muscle cells. the proteins cause the muscle cells to start expressing other genes that turn them into bone cells.

specialised cells can group themselves into clusters working together as a tissue.

adhesion molecules on cells surface membranes help cells to recognise other cells like themselves and stick to them.

the particular recognition proteins sythesised by a cell determine which cells it can and cannot attach to.