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Ribosomal RNA, Maternal Age, and Down's Syndrome*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2025

F. Salamanca-Gomez
F. Salamanca-Gomez*
Affiliation:
National Institute for Special Programs of Health, INPES, Bogotà, Colombia
*
Department of Genetics, Pediatric Hospital, National Medical Centre, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Apartado Postal 12-951, México 12, D.F., México

Abstract

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A selective loss (or a blocking) of rRNA genes in ageing oocytes, and its compensation through the retention of an acrocentric nucleolar organizer chromosome, is proposed as a possible mechanism responsible for the increased frequency of Down's syndrome with maternal age.

Riassunto

RIASSUNTO

Viene proposta, quale meccanismo per cui la frequenza della sindrome di Down aumenta con l'età materna, una perdita selettiva di geni di rRNA, oppure il loro blocco in oociti, compensata dal trattenimento di un cromosoma organizzatore nucleolare acrocentrico.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉ

L'on propose, comme mécanisme par lequel la fréquence du syndrome de Down augmente avec l'âge maternel, une perte sélective de gènes de rRNA, ou bien leur blocage dans les oocytes, compensée par l'entretien d'un chromosome organisateur nucléolaire acrocentrique.

Zusammenfassung

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG

Es wird angenommen, dass das vermehrte Auftreten des Downschen Syndroms bei zunehmendem Alter der Mütter darauf beruht, dass die rRNA-Gene entweder einen selektiven Verlust erleiden oder in Oozyten blockiert werden, wobei zum Ausgleich eines akrozentrischen Nukleolus-Organisator Chromosom festgehalten wird.

Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 24 , Issue 3-4 , October 1975 , pp. 245 - 250
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1975

Footnotes

*

Partially supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation.

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