Developmentally regulated Xist promoter switch mediates initiation of X inactivation.
Developmental regulation of the mouse Xist gene at the onset of X chromosome inactivation is mediated by RNA stabilization. Here, we show that alternate promoter usage gives rise to distinct stable and unstable RNA isoforms. Unstable Xist transcript initiates at a novel upstream promoter, whereas stable Xist RNA is transcribed from the previously identified promoter and from a novel downstream promoter. Analysis of cells undergoing X inactivation indicates that a developmentally regulated promoter switch mediates stabilization and accumulation of Xist RNA on the inactive X chromosome.
Johnston
C M
CM
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Nesterova
T B
TB
Formstone
E J
EJ
Newall
A E
AE
Duthie
S M
SM
Sheardown
S A
SA
Brockdorff
N
N
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014960:X Chromosome
D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D014157:Transcription Factors; C077885:XIST non-coding RNA