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  • Title: Sensing X chromosome pairs before X inactivation via a novel X-pairing region of the Xic.
    Author: Augui S, Filion GJ, Huart S, Nora E, Guggiari M, Maresca M, Stewart AF, Heard E.
    Journal: Science; 2007 Dec 07; 318(5856):1632-6. PubMed ID: 18063799.
    Abstract:
    Mammalian dosage compensation involves silencing of one of the two X chromosomes in females and is controlled by the X-inactivation center (Xic). The Xic, which includes Xist and its antisense transcription unit Tsix/Xite, somehow senses the number of X chromosomes and triggers Xist up-regulation from one of the two X chromosomes in females. We found that a segment of the mouse Xic lying several hundred kilobases upstream of Xist brings the two Xics together before the onset of X inactivation. This region can autonomously drive Xic trans-interactions even as an ectopic single-copy transgene. Its introduction into male embryonic stem cells is strongly selected against, consistent with a possible role in trans-activating Xist. We propose that homologous associations driven by this novel X-pairing region (Xpr) of the Xic enable a cell to sense that more than one X chromosome is present and coordinate reciprocal Xist/Tsix expression.
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