How mother's and father's X chromosomes can compete in the body and in cancer
Competition between maternal and paternal X chromosomes in human biology and cancer
Researchers are looking at whether the versions of the X chromosome you inherit from your mother or father act differently in people and how those differences relate to cancer and other health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Francisco State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319836 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team is examining how X chromosomes inherited from each parent influence gene control in human cells, with a focus on microRNA networks and gene expression patterns. They will use laboratory analyses of cellular and molecular data to map regulatory and transcriptomic differences linked to the X chromosome. The work will connect those molecular patterns to cancer biology to understand when parental-origin conflicts might drive tumor behavior. Results will help guide ideas for future conflict-focused treatments or biomarkers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers—especially those where sex or X-chromosome biology seems relevant—or patients willing to donate tumor tissue or blood samples would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate change in their current treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new molecular markers or targets that explain sex- and X-linked differences in some cancers and eventually guide better diagnostics or therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have mapped X-chromosome gene expression and X inactivation, but applying the idea of parental-origin intragenomic conflict to human cancer is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- San Francisco State University — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roy, Scott — San Francisco State University
- Study coordinator: Roy, Scott
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.