title: Dynamic interplay and function of multiple noncoding genes governing X chromosome inactivation.
abstract: There is increasing evidence for the emergence of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as important components, especially in the regulation of gene expression. In the event of X chromosome inactivation, robust epigenetic marks are established in a long noncoding Xist RNA-dependent manner, giving rise to a distinct epigenetic landscape on the inactive X chromosome (Xi). The X inactivation center (Xic) is essential for induction of X chromosome inactivation and harbors two topologically associated domains (TADs) to regulate monoallelic Xist expression: one at the noncoding Xist gene and its upstream region, and the other at the antisense Tsix and its upstream region. The monoallelic expression of Xist is tightly regulated by these two functionally distinct TADs as well as their constituting lncRNAs and proteins. In this review, we summarize recent updates in our knowledge of lncRNAs found at the Xic and discuss their overall mechanisms of action. We also discuss our current understanding of the molecular mechanism behind Xist RNA-mediated induction of the repressive epigenetic landscape at the Xi. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Clues to long noncoding RNA taxonomy1, edited by Dr. Tetsuro Hirose and Dr. Shinichi Nakagawa.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Minghui
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: John Lalith
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Charles Richard
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. Electronic address: yuya.ogawa@cchmc.org.
authors.forename: Yuya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ogawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells; D057890:Epigenomics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics*; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*; D049951:X Chromosome Inactivation / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; C077885:XIST non-coding RNA
keywords: Epigenetics; Long noncoding RNA; X-chromosome inactivation; Xist