Abstract
One X chromosome, selected at random, is silenced in each female mammalian cell. Xist encodes a noncoding RNA that influences the probability that the cis-linked X chromosome will be silenced. We found that the A-repeat, a highly conserved element within Xist, is required for the accumulation of spliced Xist RNA. In addition, the A-repeat is necessary for X-inactivation to occur randomly. In combination, our data suggest that normal Xist RNA processing is important in the regulation of random X-inactivation. We propose that modulation of Xist RNA processing may be part of the stochastic process that determines which X chromosome will be inactivated.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Alleles
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Chromosomes, Mammalian / metabolism
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Female
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HeLa Cells
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Histones / metabolism
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Humans
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Male
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Mice
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Models, Biological
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
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Nucleic Acid Conformation
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Protein Binding
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Protein Processing, Post-Translational
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RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional*
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RNA, Long Noncoding
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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RNA, Untranslated / chemistry
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RNA, Untranslated / genetics*
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RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics*
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Sequence Deletion / genetics
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Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors
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X Chromosome Inactivation / genetics*
Substances
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Histones
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Nuclear Proteins
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RNA, Long Noncoding
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Untranslated
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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XIST non-coding RNA
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Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors