학술논문
Sex differences in the human peripheral blood transcriptome
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Jansen, Rick; Batista, Sandra; Brooks, Andrew I; Tischfield, Jay A; Willemsen, Gonneke; van Grootheest, Gerard; Hottenga, Jouke-Jan; Milaneschi, Yuri; Mbarek, Hamdi; Madar, Vered; Peyrot, Wouter; Vink, Jacqueline M; Verweij, Cor L; de Geus, Eco JC; Smit, Johannes H; Wright, Fred A; Sullivan, Patrick F; Boomsma, Dorret I; Penninx, Brenda WJH
Source
BMC Genomics. January 17, 2014, Vol. 15
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1471-2164
Abstract
Author(s): Rick Jansen[sup.1] , Sandra Batista[sup.5] , Andrew I Brooks[sup.4] , Jay A Tischfield[sup.4] , Gonneke Willemsen[sup.2] , Gerard van Grootheest[sup.1] , Jouke-Jan Hottenga[sup.2] , Yuri Milaneschi[sup.1] , Hamdi Mbarek[sup.2] [...]
Background Genomes of men and women differ in only a limited number of genes located on the sex chromosomes, whereas the transcriptome is far more sex-specific. Identification of sex-biased gene expression will contribute to understanding the molecular basis of sex-differences in complex traits and common diseases. Results Sex differences in the human peripheral blood transcriptome were characterized using microarrays in 5,241 subjects, accounting for menopause status and hormonal contraceptive use. Sex-specific expression was observed for 582 autosomal genes, of which 57.7% was upregulated in women (female-biased genes). Female-biased genes were enriched for several immune system GO categories, genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis (16%) and genes regulated by estrogen (18%). Male-biased genes were enriched for genes linked to renal cancer (9%). Sex-differences in gene expression were smaller in postmenopausal women, larger in women using hormonal contraceptives and not caused by sex-specific eQTLs, confirming the role of estrogen in regulating sex-biased genes. Conclusions This study indicates that sex-bias in gene expression is extensive and may underlie sex-differences in the prevalence of common diseases.
Background Genomes of men and women differ in only a limited number of genes located on the sex chromosomes, whereas the transcriptome is far more sex-specific. Identification of sex-biased gene expression will contribute to understanding the molecular basis of sex-differences in complex traits and common diseases. Results Sex differences in the human peripheral blood transcriptome were characterized using microarrays in 5,241 subjects, accounting for menopause status and hormonal contraceptive use. Sex-specific expression was observed for 582 autosomal genes, of which 57.7% was upregulated in women (female-biased genes). Female-biased genes were enriched for several immune system GO categories, genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis (16%) and genes regulated by estrogen (18%). Male-biased genes were enriched for genes linked to renal cancer (9%). Sex-differences in gene expression were smaller in postmenopausal women, larger in women using hormonal contraceptives and not caused by sex-specific eQTLs, confirming the role of estrogen in regulating sex-biased genes. Conclusions This study indicates that sex-bias in gene expression is extensive and may underlie sex-differences in the prevalence of common diseases.