Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is one of the more common autosomal dominant genetic
traits, affecting one in 2500 persons. Although the gene responsible has been mapped to
chromosome 17 1 and more recently isolated, 2, 3 the chain of molecular events from the
altered protein responsible for NF-1 to the disease manifestations (such as the growth of
cutaneous neurofibromas and cafe-au-lait macules) is not clearly understood. Moreover, the
molecular understanding thus far achieved does not directly lead to a method for altering …