Scientists have achieved a major milestone by successfully sequencing the Y chromosome for the first time. This accomplishment, led by the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium, provides crucial information about human genetics, particularly related to male infertility and health disorders. The Y chromosome, a complex and enigmatic structure, had previously remained partially uncharted despite the Human Genome Project’s efforts. The newly completed sequence offers insights into regulatory functions, mRNA/protein encoding, and links to cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention. This achievement has implications for understanding age-related diseases and the shorter lifespan of men compared to women, shedding light on the Y chromosome’s complexities.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium: An international collaboration of 100 researchers responsible for filling significant gaps in the human genome, particularly in the Y chromosome.
- Y-Chromosome Microdeletions: Specific genetic mutations leading to infertility caused by small deletions in the Y chromosome’s genetic material.
- SRY (Sex-determining Region Y): A gene on the Y chromosome responsible for initiating male sex determination and testes development.
- SOX9 (SRY-Box Transcription Factor 9): A gene crucial for testes development and the production of sperm.