Characterization of a murine gene expressed from the inactive X chromosome |
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Authors: | G Borsani R Tonlorenzi M C Simmler L Dandolo D Arnaud V Capra M Grompe A Pizzuti D Muzny C Lawrence |
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Affiliation: | Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030. |
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Abstract: | In mammals, equal dosage of gene products encoded by the X chromosome in male and female cells is achieved by X inactivation. Although X-chromosome inactivation represents the most extensive example known of long range cis gene regulation, the mechanism by which thousands of genes on only one of a pair of identical chromosomes are turned off is poorly understood. We have recently identified a human gene (XIST) exclusively expressed from the inactive X chromosome. Here we report the isolation and characterization of its murine homologue (Xist) which localizes to the mouse X inactivation centre region and is the first murine gene found to be expressed from the inactive X chromosome. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicates that Xist may be associated with a protein product. The similar map positions and expression patterns for Xist in mouse and man suggest that this gene may have a role in X inactivation. |
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