Premium
Homologous recombination is reduced in female embryonic stem cells by two active X chromosomes
Author(s) -
Tamura Yuka,
Ohhata Tatsuya,
Niida Hiroyuki,
Sakai Satoshi,
Uchida Chiharu,
Masumoto Kazuma,
Katou Fuminori,
Wutz Anton,
Kitagawa Masatoshi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.202052190
Subject(s) - homologous recombination , embryonic stem cell , biology , homologous chromosome , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , recombination , stem cell , gene
The reactivation of X‐linked genes is observed in some primary breast tumors. Two active X chromosomes are also observed in female embryonic stem cells (ESCs), but whether double doses of X‐linked genes affect DNA repair efficiency remains unclear. Here, we establish isogenic female/male ESCs and show that the female ESCs are more sensitive to camptothecin and have lower gene targeting efficiency than male ESCs, suggesting that homologous recombination (HR) efficiency is reduced in female ESCs. We also generate Xist ‐inducible female ESCs and show that the lower HR efficiency is restored when X chromosome inactivation is induced. Finally, we assess the X‐linked genes with a role in DNA repair and find that Brcc3 is one of the genes involved in a network promoting proper HR. Our findings link the double doses of X‐linked genes with lower DNA repair activity, and this may have relevance for common diseases in female patients, such as breast cancer.