Efficiency of Xist-mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation.

BACKGROUND: X chromosome inactivation, the mechanism used by mammals to equalise dosage of X-linked genes in XX females relative to XY males, is triggered by chromosome-wide localisation of a cis-acting non-coding RNA, Xist. The mechanism of Xist RNA spreading and Xist-dependent silencing is poorly...

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Principais autores: Tang, Y, Huntley, D, Montana, G, Cerase, A, Nesterova, T, Brockdorff, N
Formato: Journal article
Idioma:English
Publicado em: 2010
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author Tang, Y
Huntley, D
Montana, G
Cerase, A
Nesterova, T
Brockdorff, N
author_facet Tang, Y
Huntley, D
Montana, G
Cerase, A
Nesterova, T
Brockdorff, N
author_sort Tang, Y
collection OXFORD
description BACKGROUND: X chromosome inactivation, the mechanism used by mammals to equalise dosage of X-linked genes in XX females relative to XY males, is triggered by chromosome-wide localisation of a cis-acting non-coding RNA, Xist. The mechanism of Xist RNA spreading and Xist-dependent silencing is poorly understood. A large body of evidence indicates that silencing is more efficient on the X chromosome than on autosomes, leading to the idea that the X chromosome has acquired sequences that facilitate propagation of silencing. LINE-1 (L1) repeats are relatively enriched on the X chromosome and have been proposed as candidates for these sequences. To determine the requirements for efficient silencing we have analysed the relationship of chromosome features, including L1 repeats, and the extent of silencing in cell lines carrying inducible Xist transgenes located on one of three different autosomes. RESULTS: Our results show that the organisation of the chromosome into large gene-rich and L1-rich domains is a key determinant of silencing efficiency. Specifically genes located in large gene-rich domains with low L1 density are relatively resistant to Xist-mediated silencing whereas genes located in gene-poor domains with high L1 density are silenced more efficiently. These effects are observed shortly after induction of Xist RNA expression, suggesting that chromosomal domain organisation influences establishment rather than long-term maintenance of silencing. The X chromosome and some autosomes have only small gene-rich L1-depleted domains and we suggest that this could confer the capacity for relatively efficient chromosome-wide silencing. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the requirements for efficient Xist mediated silencing and specifically identifies organisation of the chromosome into gene-rich L1-depleted and gene-poor L1-dense domains as a major influence on the ability of Xist-mediated silencing to be propagated in a continuous manner in cis.
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spelling oxford-uuid:cb9d7d1a-421f-42d6-adda-cae6139df32c2022-03-27T07:16:07ZEfficiency of Xist-mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:cb9d7d1a-421f-42d6-adda-cae6139df32cEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2010Tang, YHuntley, DMontana, GCerase, ANesterova, TBrockdorff, NBACKGROUND: X chromosome inactivation, the mechanism used by mammals to equalise dosage of X-linked genes in XX females relative to XY males, is triggered by chromosome-wide localisation of a cis-acting non-coding RNA, Xist. The mechanism of Xist RNA spreading and Xist-dependent silencing is poorly understood. A large body of evidence indicates that silencing is more efficient on the X chromosome than on autosomes, leading to the idea that the X chromosome has acquired sequences that facilitate propagation of silencing. LINE-1 (L1) repeats are relatively enriched on the X chromosome and have been proposed as candidates for these sequences. To determine the requirements for efficient silencing we have analysed the relationship of chromosome features, including L1 repeats, and the extent of silencing in cell lines carrying inducible Xist transgenes located on one of three different autosomes. RESULTS: Our results show that the organisation of the chromosome into large gene-rich and L1-rich domains is a key determinant of silencing efficiency. Specifically genes located in large gene-rich domains with low L1 density are relatively resistant to Xist-mediated silencing whereas genes located in gene-poor domains with high L1 density are silenced more efficiently. These effects are observed shortly after induction of Xist RNA expression, suggesting that chromosomal domain organisation influences establishment rather than long-term maintenance of silencing. The X chromosome and some autosomes have only small gene-rich L1-depleted domains and we suggest that this could confer the capacity for relatively efficient chromosome-wide silencing. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the requirements for efficient Xist mediated silencing and specifically identifies organisation of the chromosome into gene-rich L1-depleted and gene-poor L1-dense domains as a major influence on the ability of Xist-mediated silencing to be propagated in a continuous manner in cis.
spellingShingle Tang, Y
Huntley, D
Montana, G
Cerase, A
Nesterova, T
Brockdorff, N
Efficiency of Xist-mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation.
title Efficiency of Xist-mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation.
title_full Efficiency of Xist-mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation.
title_fullStr Efficiency of Xist-mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation.
title_full_unstemmed Efficiency of Xist-mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation.
title_short Efficiency of Xist-mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation.
title_sort efficiency of xist mediated silencing on autosomes is linked to chromosomal domain organisation
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AT huntleyd efficiencyofxistmediatedsilencingonautosomesislinkedtochromosomaldomainorganisation
AT montanag efficiencyofxistmediatedsilencingonautosomesislinkedtochromosomaldomainorganisation
AT cerasea efficiencyofxistmediatedsilencingonautosomesislinkedtochromosomaldomainorganisation
AT nesterovat efficiencyofxistmediatedsilencingonautosomesislinkedtochromosomaldomainorganisation
AT brockdorffn efficiencyofxistmediatedsilencingonautosomesislinkedtochromosomaldomainorganisation