There are two types of chromosomes: X and Y. Among these two, a new study has focused their attention on the Y chromosome genes that are exclusive to males and are thought to explain why men suffer differently than women from diseases like the COVID-19.
The research was recently published by professor Christian Deschepper from the Université de Montréal, which is Montreal Clinical Research Institute's director of the Experimental Cardiovascular Biology research unit, in Scientific Reports.
The study provides new light on understanding the mechanics of the genes in Y chromosomes that allow male cells to behave differently from female cells, said study lead author Deschepper, an associate professor at the McGill University.
The researchers hope that their research would help future studies to shed some light on why men experience various diseases that occur differently than women.
Y Chromosome in Men
Chromosomes can be either X or Y and each human carries 23 pairs of chromosomes that include one pair of sex chromosomes. Egg cells from a woman carry the X chromosome, while sperm cells can either carry the X or Y chromosomes. That means, it is the male and not the female that is responsible for the sex of the offspring.
Females have two X sex chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y sex chromosomes, something that females lack. The Y chromosome is expressed in all cells of the male body but its confirmed function is only been limited to the male sex organs.
But a recent study from the researchers at the University of Montreal has shed light on the role Y chromosomes play in how differently male cells function compared to female cells on various diseases.
In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, research has found that more men are getting infected with the severe case of COVID-19. Although there are many studies conducted about it, this new study explores the crucial role of Y chromosomes in men's health.
Y Chromosome: Genes That Females Do Not Have
Deschepper performed genetic manipulation which inactivates two male genes on the Y chromosome that alter many of its signaling pathways that play vital roles in specific functions on non-sex organ cells. This includes mechanisms involved in stress management wherein cells in human hearts defend themselves against aggressions like ischemia (reduced blood supply) or mechanical stress.
The study showed that the Y chromosome activates certain genes directly at a genome level in which the Y chromosome seems to affect cellular functions by acting on the protein production. That is because genes performed their regulatory functions in unusual ways compared to the mechanisms commonly used by most genes on the non-sex chromosomes.
Deschepper said that the discovery of the differences in the functions of the Y chromosomes to the other genes may partly explain why its functions have been for poorly understood.
Men and women have different manifestations in the severity and consequences of many diseases, and a most recent example of that is COVID-19 which has killed more men than women.
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