The Non-random Location of Autosomal Genes That Participate in X Inactivation

Mammals compensate for sex differences in the number of X chromosomes by inactivating all but one X chromosome. Although they differ in the details of X inactivation, all mammals use long non-coding RNAs in the silencing process. By transcribing XIST RNA, the human inactive X chromosome has a prime...

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Main Author: Barbara R. Migeon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2019-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fcell.2019.00144/full
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author Barbara R. Migeon
author_facet Barbara R. Migeon
author_sort Barbara R. Migeon
collection DOAJ
description Mammals compensate for sex differences in the number of X chromosomes by inactivating all but one X chromosome. Although they differ in the details of X inactivation, all mammals use long non-coding RNAs in the silencing process. By transcribing XIST RNA, the human inactive X chromosome has a prime role in X-dosage compensation. Yet, the autosomes also play an important role in the process. Multiple genes on human chromosome 1 interact with XIST RNA to silence the future inactive Xs. Also, it is likely that multiple genes on human chromosome 19 prevent the silencing of the single active X – a highly dosage sensitive process. Previous studies of the organization of chromosomes in the nucleus and their genomic interactions indicate that most contacts are intra-chromosomal. Co-ordinate transcription and dosage regulation can be achieved by clustering of genes and mingling of interacting chromosomes in 3D space. Unlike the genes on chromosome 1, those within the critical eight MB region of chromosome 19, have remained together in all mammals assayed, except rodents, indicating that their proximity in non-rodent mammals is evolutionarily conserved. I propose that the autosomal genes that play key roles in the process of X inactivation are non-randomly distributed in the genome and that this arrangement facilitates their coordinate regulation.
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spelling doaj.art-51724183b42344f89bd57f9912399bc62022-12-22T01:48:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2019-08-01710.3389/fcell.2019.00144475539The Non-random Location of Autosomal Genes That Participate in X InactivationBarbara R. MigeonMammals compensate for sex differences in the number of X chromosomes by inactivating all but one X chromosome. Although they differ in the details of X inactivation, all mammals use long non-coding RNAs in the silencing process. By transcribing XIST RNA, the human inactive X chromosome has a prime role in X-dosage compensation. Yet, the autosomes also play an important role in the process. Multiple genes on human chromosome 1 interact with XIST RNA to silence the future inactive Xs. Also, it is likely that multiple genes on human chromosome 19 prevent the silencing of the single active X – a highly dosage sensitive process. Previous studies of the organization of chromosomes in the nucleus and their genomic interactions indicate that most contacts are intra-chromosomal. Co-ordinate transcription and dosage regulation can be achieved by clustering of genes and mingling of interacting chromosomes in 3D space. Unlike the genes on chromosome 1, those within the critical eight MB region of chromosome 19, have remained together in all mammals assayed, except rodents, indicating that their proximity in non-rodent mammals is evolutionarily conserved. I propose that the autosomal genes that play key roles in the process of X inactivation are non-randomly distributed in the genome and that this arrangement facilitates their coordinate regulation.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fcell.2019.00144/fullsingle active Xintra-chromosomal interactioninter-chromosomal interactionX-chromosome dosage compensationautosomes in X inactivationevolutionary conservation
spellingShingle Barbara R. Migeon
The Non-random Location of Autosomal Genes That Participate in X Inactivation
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
single active X
intra-chromosomal interaction
inter-chromosomal interaction
X-chromosome dosage compensation
autosomes in X inactivation
evolutionary conservation
title The Non-random Location of Autosomal Genes That Participate in X Inactivation
title_full The Non-random Location of Autosomal Genes That Participate in X Inactivation
title_fullStr The Non-random Location of Autosomal Genes That Participate in X Inactivation
title_full_unstemmed The Non-random Location of Autosomal Genes That Participate in X Inactivation
title_short The Non-random Location of Autosomal Genes That Participate in X Inactivation
title_sort non random location of autosomal genes that participate in x inactivation
topic single active X
intra-chromosomal interaction
inter-chromosomal interaction
X-chromosome dosage compensation
autosomes in X inactivation
evolutionary conservation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fcell.2019.00144/full
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