Characterization of a murine gene expressed from the inactive X chromosome

G Borsani, R Tonlorenzi, MC Simmler, L Dandolo… - Nature, 1991 - nature.com
G Borsani, R Tonlorenzi, MC Simmler, L Dandolo, D Arnaud, V Capra, M Grompe, A Pizzuti
Nature, 1991nature.com
IN mammals, equal dosage of gene products encoded by the X chromosome in male and
female cells is achieved by X inactivation. Although X-chromosome inactivation represents
the most extensive example known of long range cis gene regulation, the mechanism by
which thousands of genes on only one of a pair of identical chromosomes are turned off is
poorly understood. We have recently identified a human gene (XIST) exclusively expressed
from the inactive X chromosome1. Here we report the isolation and characterization of its …
Abstract
IN mammals, equal dosage of gene products encoded by the X chromosome in male and female cells is achieved by X inactivation. Although X-chromosome inactivation represents the most extensive example known of long range cis gene regulation, the mechanism by which thousands of genes on only one of a pair of identical chromosomes are turned off is poorly understood. We have recently identified a human gene (XIST) exclusively expressed from the inactive X chromosome1. Here we report the isolation and characterization of its murine homologue (Xist) which localizes to the mouse X inactivation centre region and is the first murine gene found to be expressed from the inactive X chromosome. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicates that Xist may be associated with a protein product. The similar map positions and expression patterns for Xist in mouse and man suggest that this gene may have a role in X inactivation.
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