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Xist has properties of the X-chromosome inactivation centre

Naturevolume 386, pages272–275 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

X-chromosome inactivation is the process by which female mammals (with two X chromosomes) achieve expression of X-chromosomal genes equivalent to that of males (one X and one Y chromosome)1,2. This results in the transcriptional silencing of virtually all genes on one of the X chromosomes in female somatic cells. X-chromosome inactivation has been shown to actin cis and to initiate and spread from a single site on the X chromosome known as the X-inactivation centre (Xic)2,3. TheXic has been localized to a 450-kilobase region of the mouse X chromosome4. TheXist gene also maps to this region and is expressed exclusively from the inactive X chromosome3–7.Xist is unusual in that it appears not to code for a protein but produces a nuclear RNA which colocalizes with the inactive X chromosome4,8. The creation of a null allele ofXist in embryonic stem cells has demonstrated that this gene is required for X inactivation to occurin cis9. Here we show thatXist, introduced onto an autosome, is sufficient by itself for inactivationin cis and thatXist RNA becomes localized close to the autosome into which the gene is integrated. In addition, the presence of autosomalXist copies leads to activation of the endogeneousXist gene in some cells, suggesting that elements required for some aspects of chromosome counting are contained within the construct. Thus theXist gene exhibits properties of the X-inactivation centre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRC Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JB, UK

    Laura B. K. Herzing, Justyna T. Romer, Jacqueline M. Horn & Alan Ashworth

Authors
  1. Laura B. K. Herzing

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  2. Justyna T. Romer

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  3. Jacqueline M. Horn

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  4. Alan Ashworth

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Herzing, L., Romer, J., Horn, J.et al.Xist has properties of the X-chromosome inactivation centre.Nature386, 272–275 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/386272a0

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