The human Y chromosome may someday vanish because it has lost several genes over millions of years, according to a recent research.
A remarkable prospect has been brought to light by a ground-breaking study: the human Y , which is essential for identifying male sex, may disappear in a few million years. The ramifications for human survival are more complex than first thought, despite the terrible seeming implications.
What the Y Chromosome Does?
According to human genetics, males have one X chromosome and one Y , whereas females have two X chromosomes. While the Y chromosome has a large quantity of non-coding DNA and only around 55 genes, the X chromosome has about 900 genes that are involved in several tasks unrelated to sex. The SRY gene is essential for starting male development during embryogenesis among these genes.
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In the 166 million years of its evolutionary history, the Y chromosome has seen substantial degradation. Its projected loss of 845 genes corresponds to a loss rate of five genes every million years. In around 11 million years, the Y chromosome may go extinct if this current tendency persists.
What Would Take Place if the Y Chromosome Vanishes ?
Scientists have examined rat species that have previously experienced Y chromosome loss in order to evaluate the possible effects of a missing Y chromosome. The Eastern European mole vole and the Japanese spiny rats are two well-known examples. These animals show that life may exist without the Y chromosome, with both sexes still having viable copies of the X chromosome.
Learnings from Rodent Research .
In a recent study, the Y chromosome-losing spiny rat was the subject of research directed by Asato Kuroiwa from Hokkaido University. The majority of the Y chromosome’s genes have been moved to other chromosomes, the research showed. Remarkably, the species survived in the absence of the SRY gene, which is crucial for male development.
A significant variation was found in the vicinity of the SOX9 gene on the spiny rat’s chromosome 3. This gene determines a person’s sex and usually needs the SRY gene to activate. A little DNA duplication (17,000 base pairs out of over 3 billion) that was present in all males but absent from females was found by the researchers.
Consequences for the Evolution of Humanity
The results of the spiny rat research suggest that although the Y chromosome’s removal is an important evolutionary event, human existence is not necessarily doomed. According to the study, other sex-determining mechanisms may develop throughout time, guaranteeing that species would survive even in the event that the Y chromosome is lost.
The Future of Human Evolution and Sex Determination.
The potential loss of the Y chromosome poses significant concerns over the future of human sex determination. The results of the study on mouse species imply that while the Y chromosome may be gradually losing its necessary genes, other sex-determination mechanisms may develop.
From an evolutionary perspective, the adaptation of spiny rats shows that animals may create new genetic strategies to preserve reproductive functions. It’s likely that additional genetic pathways resembling those found in rats will emerge as humans continue to evolve. This flexibility demonstrates the adaptability of biological systems and their capacity to survive and procreate in the face of substantial genetic alterations.
Understanding how these evolutionary changes could affect human development and genetics will require further study. Ongoing research will shed light on the intricacies of sex determination and how our species could adapt to these changes, as well as any potential consequences for future generations. Genetic evolution is still a dynamic process, and our capacity for adaptation may influence future developments.
