New research has found that the SIRT7 protein plays an important role in the stability of the X chromosome, which may help explain differences in aging between men and women.
A study carried out by Spanish scientific entities identified a protein with impact on cellular response to stress and aging as a key piece to deepen knowledge of the differences in health and aging between men and women.
The research, led by the Instituto Josep Carreras in Barcelona and Mass General Brigham in Boston, in the United States, and in the journal Nature, identified the SIRT7 protein as an essential protector of the stability of the genome and the X chromosome, especially in women, who have two X chromosomes, while men have only one.
According to a joint statement from the Spanish Ministry of Science, the State Research Agency, the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence and the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, the study of sex chromosomes constitutes one of the most promising areas of research in this field.
The group leader at Instituto Josep Carreras, Alejandro Vaquero, explained that, unlike previous studies, this work expanded knowledge about how changes in this protein “can affect the regulation of the immune system and contribute to the development of hematological cancers”.
Alejandro Vaquero argued that the absence of SIRT7 alters genomic regulation, damages DNA and has more serious consequences in women than in menwhich can help understand biological differences between the sexes and advance research into hematological cancers.
In female cells, one of the two X chromosomes remains inactiveto maintain the appropriate balance in gene expression.
However, the researchers observed that, in the absence of SIRT7, this mechanism changes, with the inactive X chromosome remaining without excessive activity, while the active X chromosome abnormally increases activity.
This makes the chromosome more vulnerable to DNA damage and phenomena of genetic instability.
The same study found that in animal guinea pigs, females were most affected by the absence of SIRT7, presenting higher levels of DNA damageworse health status and lower life expectancy compared to males.
The results of the study are particularly relevant to immune function, as adequate regulation of the X chromosome is essential to maintain the balance of the immune system.
Changes in the activity of this chromosome can also influence the development and functioning of blood and immune cellspotentially favoring immune dysregulation and explaining why some diseases affect women and men differently.
The researchers concluded that SIRT7 plays a fundamental role in controlling the functions of blood and immune cells, their malignant transformation and protecting these cells against genetic changes that can favor the development of hematological cancers.
