Researchers Shed Light on Underestimated Factor That Could Shape How We Age
Summary
Researchers have found that X and Y chromosomes do more than determine biological sex; they also affect aging and diseases. A review published in the journal Science explains how sex chromosomes interact with hormones to influence body functions like the immune system, brain health, and cancer progression.Key Facts
- Humans usually have 23 pairs of chromosomes, including sex chromosomes: XX for most biological women and XY for most biological men.
- Sex chromosomes can directly affect how cells work and how diseases develop, beyond the effects of hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
- One X chromosome in women is mostly turned off early in life to control gene activity, but as people age, some genes on that inactive X can turn back on; this is called X chromosome reactivation.
- Reactivation of the X chromosome in aged mice improved brain function, suggesting potential medical benefits.
- Some genes on the X chromosome, like KDM6A, are linked to better brain health in diseases like Alzheimer’s.
- The effects of X chromosome reactivation vary depending on which genes are active, the tissue involved, and the person's age—it can be helpful or harmful.
- Women’s two X chromosomes may help them survive and resist brain aging better than men, but this advantage is complex and still under study.
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