Sex chromosome aneuploidy and aging.
Loss of an X chromosome in females and of the Y chromosome in males are phenomena associated with aging. X chromosome loss occurs in and may be limited to PHA stimulated peripheral lymphocytes. In males, the loss of the Y is most evident in bone marrow cells, but also occurs to a lesser extent in PHA stimulated peripheral lymphocytes. X chromosome loss is associated with premature centromere division leading to anaphase lag and elimination in micronuclei. The mechanism of Y chromosome loss has not been elucidated. No pathological consequence of either X or Y chromosome loss has been convincingly demonstrated. With the advent of FISH technology, measurement of sex chromosome aneuploidy may prove to be a convenient assay for cellular senecence and aging.
Stone
J F
JF
Southwest Biomedical Research Institute and Genetrix, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, USA.
Sandberg
A A
AA
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000782:Aneuploidy; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*