Meiotic Cohesion Requires Sirt1 And Preserving Its Activity In Aging Oocytes Reduces Missegregation
As women age, the quality of their egg cells, or oocytes, can decline, leading to an increased risk of chromosome segregation errors. These errors are a major cause of infertility and developmental disorders. A key factor in preventing these errors is “meiotic cohesion,” which acts like a glue holding chromosomes together during cell division. When this cohesion is lost prematurely, chromosomes can missegregate.
Recent research has shed light on the role of a specific protein, Sirt1, in maintaining this crucial cohesion. Scientists found that Sirt1 activity is vital for accurate chromosome separation in oocytes. Interestingly, the activity of Sirt1 naturally decreases as oocytes age. However, by using a compound that activates Sirt1, researchers were able to preserve its activity in aging oocytes. This preservation dramatically reduced the incidence of age-related chromosome segregation errors.
These findings suggest a promising new avenue for addressing age-related fertility challenges. By understanding and potentially manipulating proteins like Sirt1, we may be able to develop strategies to improve egg quality and reduce the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in older mothers.
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