title: X chromosome inactivation in the cycle of life.
abstract: Female mammalian cells silence one of their two X chromosomes, resulting in equal expression levels of X-encoded genes in female XX and male XY cells. In mice, the X chromosomes in female cells go through sequential steps of inactivation and reactivation. Depending on the developmental time window, imprinted or random X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is initiated, and both processes lead to an inactive X chromosome that is clonally inherited. Here, we review new insights into the life cycle of XCI and provide an overview of the mechanisms regulating X inactivation and reactivation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3015GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tahsin Stefan
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Barakat
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gribnau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000235:genetics*; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*; D049951:X Chromosome Inactivation / Q000235:genetics*