Could X Centromeric Drive Underpin PCOS, Miscarriage and Other Age-Related Reproductive Issues?
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Rhianna-lily Smith,
Technology Networks,
2024.
One of the most prevalent conditions is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affecting 8-13% of women of reproductive age. Characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen levels and ovarian cysts, PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility. Despite its commonality, the underlying causes of the condition remain poorly understood. Dr. Tom Moore, a principal investigator in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at University College Cork, has proposed a new hypothesis that may explain why human female reproduction is prone to multiple disorders. The X chromosome’s involvement in meiotic drive mechanisms could be a key factor in understanding why certain reproductive disorders are so common and persistent. Meiotic drive refers to a genetic phenomenon where certain genes manipulate the process of meiosis to increase their transmission to the next generation, often at the expense of other genes. In normal meiosis, genes have a 50% chance of being passed on to offspring, but meiotic drive skews this process, allowing “selfish” genes to be inherited more frequently than would be expected by chance. Due to genetic hitchhiking, this can introduce traits that may have detrimental effects on individual fitness. Antagonistic selection is an evolutionary concept where a genetic trait, which is beneficial in one context but harmful in another, may be passed on to a future generation. This typically occurs when a gene has different effects at different stages of life or under different environmental conditions. In the context of human evolution, antagonistic selection can help explain why certain reproductive disorders, like PCOS, might persist. More related to this: |
