Why Women Are Stripey - Epigenetics means women... - Thyroid UK

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Why Women Are Stripey - Epigenetics means women have different active x-chromosomes in different cells

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK
5 Replies

Epigenetics has often been discussed here. And it is clearly of relevance and interest re thyroid disorders. But it can be ever so difficult to really appreciate what is going on. We see static images which lead us to think of the state rather than the process.

When seen a film rather than a single photo, the dynamic nature becomes so much easier to appreciate.

The stripey question is also interesting. I'm trying to imagine the thyroid gland itself displaying stripes. And the implications of that.

Anyway, it is just plain interesting. And it features a pussycat. 🐈🐈‍⬛

Why Women Are Stripey?

8,511,382 views 4 Jun 2014

Epigenetics means women have different active x-chromosomes in different cells.

Courtesy of Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research: wehi.tv

When a female embryo is four days old it consists of just 100 cells. At this point the x-chromosome from Mom and the one from Dad are both active. But in order for proper development to occur, one of the x chromosomes must be switched off.

Through a tiny molecular battle within each cell, one of the x-chromosomes wins and remains active while the loser is deactivated.

This is done by wrapping the DNA tighter around proteins, modifying histone tails, and DNA methylation - molecular markers to indicate this DNA should not be read.

What's surprising is that it's pretty random which x chromosome wins - sometimes it's Mom's and sometimes it's Dad's. So when a female is just 100 cells big, her cells have a mix of active x-chromosomes, some from Mom and some from Dad.

youtu.be/BD6h-wDj7bw

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helvella profile image
helvella
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RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

😲 Hmm, I've double checked in the mirror and I can't see those green stripes on myself. Could they be algae? 😉 (Sorry, couldn't resist. Haven't watched the video yet!)

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to RedApple

I did wonder if you could use some particular frequency of light and then it just might be possible to directly see these stripes? That is, if one of the X chromosomes produces a compound which fluoresces at a highly specific frequency. Might only work for some individuals, of course.

Alternatively, hold a suitable pussycat when you look in the mirror...

Stillrambling profile image
Stillrambling

Arrggh...like I don't have enough to cope without having to deal with my own doings...but with my crazy gran's as well!? It is wonder why I'm not checkered rather than stripey! 😂Thanks...that was interesting!

crabapple profile image
crabapple

I did know about this, but it's a really well done explanation and illustration.

A Calico cat is what we this side of the pond call a Tortoiseshell and white and it also applies to Torties. You can get a male Tortie if it has an extra X chromosome ie XXY .

Absolutely fascinating phenomenon. I'm sure I read somewhere about the implications for men and colds, also women and autoimmune diseases.

The only use special light I've heard of shows up your wrinkles...

BB001 profile image
BB001

Fascinating thank you. I now understand why I'm stripey! 😆 I'm in awe of the presenter. How did that guy manage that tongue twister of a presentation without a mistake? So the next question is: how can I influence my epigenetics for the better? I wouldn't mind betting it has something to do with gut health (that seems to be the current answer to everything). Seriously though, it might.

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