Gene that affects cell power supply may hold key to bowel disease

A key gene that helps to explain an underlying cause of incurable bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease has been identified by scientists. Blocking the gene harms vital parts of the cell and leads to bowel disease, while targeting these vital cell parts with drugs can reverse damage, the study shows. The findings aid understanding of the cause of these lifelong conditions and could lead to new treatments, scientists say.