Resident Rounds. Part II: Molecular Basis for Selected Inherited Skin Disorders
November 2012 | Volume 11 | Issue 11 | Features | 1361 | Copyright © November 2012
Sheila M. Krishna MD, Angela Sprigle MD, Alex G. Ortega-Loayza MD
Department of Dermatology, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA
INTRODUCTION
The molecular basis of many inherited skin disorders, or genodermatoses, has been described over the past several decades, leading
to improved classification, description, and management of these diseases. In our residency, we have attempted to organize several
of these disorders by grouping them according to common clinical pathway, mechanism, and/or location of the genetic defect, along
with explanations of the precise molecular mechanism of the affected gene. While not commonly encountered in clinical practice,
these disorders often serve to elucidate important biochemical pathways that, in turn, explain the clinical behavior of the disease.