Penn Researchers Identify First Sex Chromosome Gene
Involved in Meiosis and Male Infertility
20/03/08 13:31
A
team of scientists led by University of Pennsylvania
veterinary researchers have identified a gene, TEX11,
located on the X chromosome, which when disrupted in
mice renders the males sterile and reduces female
fecundity. This is the first study of the genetic
causes of infertility that links a particular sex
chromosome meiosis-specific gene to sterility.
A team of scientists led by University of Pennsylvania veterinary researchers have identified a gene, TEX11, located on the X chromosome, which when disrupted in mice renders the males sterile and reduces female fecundity. This is the first study of the genetic causes of infertility that links a particular sex chromosome meiosis-specific gene to sterility.
As with mice, the TEX11 gene is also located on the human X chromosome. Given that disruption of TEX11 causes azoospermia, or non-measurable sperm levels in mice, mutations in the human TEX11 gene may be a genetic cause of infertility in men. Because men have only one X chromosome that they inherit from their mother and thus only one copy of the TEX11 gene, any mutation could theoretically lead to sterility. Like other X-linked disorders such as color blindness and muscular dystrophy, genetic mutation causing a son’s infertility could be passed from his mother.
Researchers hypothesize that a screening of the TEX11 gene may provide a pre-birth diagnosis for infertility in men. Read more of the story by clicking here.
A team of scientists led by University of Pennsylvania veterinary researchers have identified a gene, TEX11, located on the X chromosome, which when disrupted in mice renders the males sterile and reduces female fecundity. This is the first study of the genetic causes of infertility that links a particular sex chromosome meiosis-specific gene to sterility.
As with mice, the TEX11 gene is also located on the human X chromosome. Given that disruption of TEX11 causes azoospermia, or non-measurable sperm levels in mice, mutations in the human TEX11 gene may be a genetic cause of infertility in men. Because men have only one X chromosome that they inherit from their mother and thus only one copy of the TEX11 gene, any mutation could theoretically lead to sterility. Like other X-linked disorders such as color blindness and muscular dystrophy, genetic mutation causing a son’s infertility could be passed from his mother.
Researchers hypothesize that a screening of the TEX11 gene may provide a pre-birth diagnosis for infertility in men. Read more of the story by clicking here.