More than the sex gene
2006/04/02 Rementeria Argote, Nagore - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa
It is not so long that they identified the SRY gene (it was in 1990). It was a great discovery, as has been seen. In fact, what sets us apart from men and women is basically that gene. If the fetus has the SRY gene, testosterone will develop. This testosterone hormone will cause the development of the small one.
Sign of child development
If there is no gender SRY in the fetus, the girl will develop. Therefore, no sign is needed to develop the girl, but to develop the child this gene is necessary. Therefore, it is not surprising that in sports tests we look at the SRY gene to distinguish whether a athlete is a woman or a man. In general, measuring amounts of different hormones is enough to distinguish between man and woman, but what really differs is that gene. Therefore, the separation test between men and women from the Atlanta Olympic Games is based on the SRY gene.
Keep in mind that the X chromosome of a fetus is given by the mother (it is in the egg). The second sex chromosome is given by the father and can be Y or X. Thus, the fetus with XY partner will be a child and the fetus with XX will be a girl. In fact, at its origin, the SRY gene is found on chromosome Y.
But there are men with XX pairs of chromosomes. The explanation is, of course, in this SRY gene. This is because, by mistake, this SRY gene can jump from one chromosome to another and although originally given on the Y chromosome, it can be passed to the X chromosome. Thus, the fetus with XX couples will become a child.
It also happens backwards, that is, there are women with XY chromosomes, due to the loss or deterioration of the SRY gene of the Y chromosome.
From sex to brain
Undoubtedly, the SRY gene is not any. It is intimately linked to sex, but there they realize that this gene also has to do with other functions, not just those related to sex and reproduction. Apparently, in some areas of the brain the gene is also expressed very frequently and researchers believe it may be related to Parkinson's disease.
During a study with mice, it has been found that this gene is expressed in neurons that release the enzyme thyroxine hydroxylase, which produces the synthesis of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. With the blocking of the gene, they saw that half of the amount of dopamine was synthesized, which affected the mouse engine system.
Some diseases of the motor system such as Parkinson's are related to the production of dopamine. Therefore, they consider that these diseases are somehow related to the SRY gene. Another argument in favor is that this type of disease is more common in men than in women.
Therefore, this SRY gene not only affects the male sex and sexual apparatus, but also other functions controlled by the brain. With it, in some journals have written that men also have sex in the brain, but the truth is that I have not found the relationship.
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