However, over half of the sequences within the Y chromosome, the smallest and most complicated of the 46 human chromosomes, remained unknown. Now, the same group of researchers has filled in the missing information, publishing a complete Y chromosome sequence Wednesday in the journal Nature. “This new analysis will allow us to better understand the regions of the Y chromosome that have regulatory functions and may encode mRNA and proteins.”Many people begin to lose their Y chromosome in some of their cells as they age, particularly those cells that undergo rapid turnover, such as blood cells. Having a complete Y chromosome genetic reference may help scientists and doctors further explore this potential link. “However, it has been questioned whether loss of the Y chromosome is a biomarker of biological aging or whether loss of the Y chromosome has a direct effect on the health of men,” he said.

---

Persons: ”, Monika Cechova, Cechova, Kenneth Walsh, ” Walsh, Walsh, it’s, ” Cechova, Charles Lee Organizations: CNN —, University of California, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Human Genome Research, T2T Consortium, Jackson Laboratory, Genomic Medicine Locations: Santa Cruz