title: X-chromosome inactivation and escape.
abstract: X-chromosome inactivation, which was discovered by Mary Lyon in 1961 results in random silencing of one X chromosome in female mammals. This review is dedicated to Mary Lyon, who passed away last year. She predicted many of the features of X inactivation, for e.g., the existence of an X inactivation center, the role of L1 elements in spreading of silencing and the existence of genes that escape X inactivation. Starting from her published work here we summarize advances in the field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle,WA 98195, USA. cdistech@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Disteche
authors.forename: Joel B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Berletch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*; D049951:X Chromosome Inactivation / Q000235:genetics*