Transgenic mice carrying an Xist-containing YAC.
The initiation of X-chromosome inactivation in female mammals is controlled by a key locus, the X-inactivation centre (Xic). The Xist gene, which maps to the candidate region for Xic and is expressed exclusively from the inactive X chromosome, is thought to be an essential component of the Xic. To test whether sequences spanning several hundred kilobases and including Xist from the Xic region are capable of initiating inactivation, we have created a series of transgenic mice using a 460 kb yeast artificial chromosome (YAC). Analysis in these mice of the expression of Xist, of a LacZ reporter gene and of two genes in the region that are normally silent on the inactive X chromosome, suggests that essential sequences for Xist expression and X-inactivation may be absent in these transgenic animals.
Heard
E
E
Unité de Génétique Moléculaire Murine, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Kress
C
C
Mongelard
F
F
Courtier
B
B
Rougeulle
C
C
Ashworth
A
A
Vourc'h
C
C
Babinet
C
C
Avner
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D018244:Chromosomes, Artificial, Yeast; D017931:DNA Primers; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007763:Lac Operon; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D019076:Transgenes
C084563:Cdx4 protein, mouse; D017931:DNA Primers; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C466113:Nap1l2 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D014157:Transcription Factors; C077885:XIST non-coding RNA