Women Are Losing Their X Chromosomes- Why?

 

ROCKVILLE, Md. — A groundbreaking study has just revealed the genetic secrets behind why some women experience mosaic loss of the X chromosome (mLOX) as they age. With mLOX, some of a woman’s blood cells randomly shed one of their two X chromosomes over time. This genetic quirk is concerning because scientists believe it may trigger the onset of various diseases, including cancer.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered that certain inherited gene variants make some women more prone to mLOX. Additionally, they identified genetic variations that seem to give a survival edge to blood cells retaining one X chromosome over the other after mLOX happens.

Crucially, the study published in Nature confirmed that women with mLOX face a higher risk of developing blood cancers like leukemia and are more vulnerable to infections such as pneumonia. This highlights the serious health risks linked to this chromosomal abnormality.

As some women age, their white blood cells can lose one of their X chromosomes. A new study reveals the potential causes and effects of this phenomenon.

As some women age, their white blood cells can lose one of their X chromosomes.

Methodology:To uncover the genetic roots of mLOX, researchers analyzed nearly 900,000 women’s blood samples from eight global biobanks. About 12% of these women showed signs of mLOX in their blood cells.

Results: By comparing the DNA of women with and without mLOX, the team identified 56 common gene variants linked to the condition. Many of these genes influence processes like abnormal cell division and cancer risk. They also discovered that rare mutations in the FBXO10 gene could double a woman’s risk of mLOX, playing a key role in the cellular processes leading to random X chromosome loss.

Most intriguingly, the team found genetic variants that are more likely to be kept on the "winning" X chromosome after mLOX. By analyzing these variants, they could predict which X would be retained with over 80% accuracy in women at the highest risk.

Key Takeaways

This suggests certain X chromosomes, due to their genetic makeup, have a competitive edge that allows them to multiply more than cells with the other X after mLOX. This could explain why mLOX raises cancer risk – if the preserved X has mutations promoting unchecked cell growth.

The researchers stress that further studies are needed to understand how mLOX interacts with other genetic factors and age-related changes. However, this pioneering research has unlocked the genetic code behind this mysterious chromosomal loss.