nabilprofelgen
25-03-2005, 10:45 PM
Women really are more complex than men, at least when it comes to their genes Pennsylvania researchers report.
While both men and women carry a copy of the X chromosome, women have a second X chromosome that, up to now, scientists thought was inactive.
"Our study shows that the inactive X in women is not as silent as we thought," said Laura Carrel, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pa. "The effects of these genes from the inactive X chromosome could explain some of the differences between men and women that aren't attributable to *** hormones."
Carrel compared the genes in the active and inactive X chromosome and found that around 15 percent of the genes on the inactive X were, in fact active. An additional 10 percent were active in varying degrees. As a result, females have a more complex and variable mix of genetic building blocks.
The results may help explain differences in the impact of disease on the different genders and could be important for those born with X chromosome abnormalities.
copied from United Press International.
While both men and women carry a copy of the X chromosome, women have a second X chromosome that, up to now, scientists thought was inactive.
"Our study shows that the inactive X in women is not as silent as we thought," said Laura Carrel, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pa. "The effects of these genes from the inactive X chromosome could explain some of the differences between men and women that aren't attributable to *** hormones."
Carrel compared the genes in the active and inactive X chromosome and found that around 15 percent of the genes on the inactive X were, in fact active. An additional 10 percent were active in varying degrees. As a result, females have a more complex and variable mix of genetic building blocks.
The results may help explain differences in the impact of disease on the different genders and could be important for those born with X chromosome abnormalities.
copied from United Press International.