Y chromosome leukaemia find

Scientists have discovered a gene specific to the male-only Y chromosome protects against the development of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and other cancers.

AML is an aggressive blood cancer which develops in cells in the bone marrow.

Mainstream treatments have remained unchanged for decades and just 20% of patients survive for five years or more.

Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Cambridge University said the discovery of this role changes the way the Y chromosome is viewed and improves understanding of how AML develops.

Women have two X chromosomes whereas men have one X and one Y. The X and Y chromosomes share many genes, but a small number of genes, including UTY, are only found on the Y chromosome.

The team studied the Xchromosome gene UTX in human cells and in mice to try to understand its role in AML.

The loss of the X-chromosome gene UTX, known to be mutated in many tumours, hastens the development of AML.

However, they found that UTY, a related gene on the Y chromosome, protected male mice which were lacking UTX from developing AML.

Lead author Dr Malgorzata Gozdecka, said: “It had been suggested the only function of the Y chromosome is in creating male sexual characteristics, but our results indicate Y chromosome could protect against AML and other cancers.”