A gene from the region of the human X inactivation centre is expressed exclusively from the inactive X chromosome.
X-chromosome inactivation results in the cis-limited dosage compensation of genes on one of the pair of X chromosomes in mammalian females. Although most X-linked genes are believed to be subject to inactivation, several are known to be expressed from both active and inactive X chromosomes. Here we describe an X-linked gene with a novel expression pattern--transcripts are detected only from the inactive X chromosome (Xi) and not from the active X chromosome (Xa). This gene, called XIST (for Xi-specific transcripts), is a candidate for a gene either involved in or uniquely influenced by the process of X inactivation.
Brown
C J
CJ
Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305.
Ballabio
A
A
Rupert
J L
JL
Lafreniere
R G
RG
Grompe
M
M
Tonlorenzi
R
R
Willard
H F
HF
D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014960:X Chromosome