To All the Fans of Elizabeth Taylor, the screen siren.

StephenW

The mutation behind Liz Taylor's captivating stare

Screen siren Elizabeth Taylor captivated a generation of movie goers with her entrancing gaze. The recently deceased actress may have been classically trained and naturally beautiful, but chalk at least one aspect of her magnetic look up to genetics. Taylor carried a mutation in a critical developmental gene, called Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2), which can result in lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome. In addition to improper lymphatic system function, the disease can also cause distichiasis, or the growth of extra eyelashes. Apparently, Taylor, who died last week from congestive heart failure, had an extra row of lashes, top and bottom, framing her famously mesmerizing eyes. It's unclear whether or not lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome contributed to Taylor's death, but a small percentage of patients with the disorder do experience congestive heart disease. (Thanks to Slate for bringing this to our attention.)

Read more: News in a nutshell - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/58098/#ixzz1IDA8bzUVThe mutation behind Liz Taylor's captivating stare