title: Xist regulation and function explored.
abstract: X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a process in mammals that ensures equal transcript levels between males and females by genetic inactivation of one of the two X chromosomes in females. Central to XCI is the long non-coding RNA Xist, which is highly and specifically expressed from the inactive X chromosome. Xist covers the X chromosome in cis and triggers genetic silencing, but its working mechanism remains elusive. Here, we review current knowledge about Xist regulation, structure, function and conservation and speculate on possible mechanisms by which its action is restricted in cis. We also discuss dosage compensation mechanisms other than XCI and how knowledge from invertebrate species may help to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of mammalian XCI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Daphne B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Pontier
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gribnau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics*; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020084:Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D049951:X Chromosome Inactivation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; C465658:Tsix transcript, mouse; C077885:XIST non-coding RNA