The silent X-chromosome: how women get different in old age!

The silent X-chromosome: how women get different in old age!

Technische Universität München, 80333 München, Deutschland - Understanding the gender -specific differences in susceptibility to illness, especially in old age, has received a new approach. According to a team of Technical University of Munich (TUM) Show that women in old age are more susceptible to certain diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's. This phenomenon was explained by activating a specific chromosome.

A central element of this study is the disused second X-chromosome, also known as BARR bodies that exists in female cells. There are two X chromosomes in every diploid cell of a woman, but one of them is inactivated to ensure dosis compensation. The inactivation known as "lyonization" means that the inactive chromosome appears as a dense structure in the light microscope, which contributes to the distinction between both genders. Barr body are highly condensed DNA structures and can be made visible by special coloring techniques, which is also used in forensics.

activation in old age

dr. Daniel Andergassen, group leader at the TUM institute for pharmacology and toxicology, explains that in older female mice, genes are increasingly reactivated on the inactive X-chromosome. These genes can escape the decommissioning of the Barr body, which leads to higher genre activity in women. Previous findings suggest that these genes could have an impact on the risk of certain diseases.

The mechanism of X-Inmertivation is crucial for gender-specific gene expression, since the current X-chromosome houses more than 800 protein-encoding genes. In contrast, the Y chromosome only has 45 known genes. This shows that the loss of the second X-chromosome in men not only defines gender, but also significantly influences the gendosis and thus the risk of illness.

implications for health research

The new gain in knowledge could have far -reaching consequences for health research. Understanding how the awakening X-chromosome affects aging processes and the associated disease risks in women will help to develop targeted therapies. In view of the fact that genes that escape the inactivation may be associated with increased susceptibility to illness, researching these relationships will be of great importance.

The results of this study were published in the specialist magazine "Nature Aging", which should stimulate further scientific discussions. The identification of specific genes and their role in aging could also be decisive for the development of new approaches in prevention and therapy for age diseases.