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Sex Differences in Brain Transcriptomes of Juvenile Cynomolgus Macaques
Nadia Kabbej1, Frederick J Ashby1, Alberto Riva2
1Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Biomolecules
|May 28, 2025
Summary
This study reveals significant sex-based differences in gene expression within the brains of young macaques. These findings in primate brain transcriptomics may explain health disparities between sexes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genomics
- Primatology
Background:
- Limited research exists on sex-based differences in brain gene expression.
- Behavioral, social, and physical traits are known to differ between sexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate sexually divergent brain transcriptomics in pre-pubertal cynomolgus macaques.
- Utilize macaques as a model species for human brain studies.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was performed on the temporal lobe, ventral midbrain, and cerebellum of male and female macaques.
- Statistical analysis (DeSeq2) identified differentially expressed genes with a false-discovery-rate-corrected p-value of 0.05.
Main Results:
- Identified statistically significant sexually divergent gene expression in all three brain regions.
- Genes with functions in translation, immunity, behavior, and neurological disorders showed divergence.
Conclusions:
- Provides mechanistic insights into sex-based epidemiological differences in mental health and infectious diseases.
- Offers pre-pubertal data on primate brain transcriptomics and potential insights into human health disparities.
