Open AccessAttenuated spread of X-inactivation in an X;autosome translocation
Author(s) -
Bilyana Popova,
Takashi Tada,
Nobuo Takagi,
Neil Brockdorff,
Tatyana B. Nesterova
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0602021103
Subject(s) - xist , x inactivation , x chromosome , biology , chromosomal translocation , autosome , chromatin , gene silencing , genetics , rna , dosage compensation , long non coding rna , microbiology and biotechnology , gene
X inactivation in female mammals involves transcriptional silencing of an entire chromosome in response to a cis-acting noncoding RNA, the X inactive-specific transcript (Xist ).Xist can also inactivate autosomal sequences, for example, in X;autosome translocations; but here, silencing appears to be relatively inefficient. This variation has been attributed to either attenuated spreading ofXist RNA at the onset of X inactivation or inefficient maintenance of autosomal silencing. Evidence to date has favored the latter. Here, we demonstrate attenuated spreading ofXist RNA at the onset of X inactivation in the T(X;4)37H X;autosome translocation. Our findings provide direct evidence that underlying chromosome/chromatin features can disrupt spreading of the primary inactivating signal.