Progress in the Study of X Chromosome Inactivation in Early Mammalian Embryonic Development
LIU Yuchen, YANG Zhishan, ZHANG Yuting, LIU Zhonghua, WENG Xiaogang*
In mammals, although there are significant differences between chromosome X and chromosome Y, most X chromosome linked genes are expressed at similar levels between males and females. This X chromosome dosage compensation is achieved by XCI (X chromosome inactivation). There are two types XCI, imprinted inactivation and random inactivation. The elevated levels of long non-coding RNA Xist expression drive the initiation of silencing the X chromosome. Subsequently, some RNA-binding proteins that bind to Xist play a role in the establishment of inhibitory modifications and chromosome remodeling. So far, most of knowledge of XCI is based on the studies in mice. However, the regulation of XCI varies greatly among different species. This review focuses on an overview of the specific mechanisms of XCI establishment in mouse, the important long non-coding RNAs and Xist RNA-binding proteins involving in the XCI process, and further compares the similarities and differences among human, mouse and cynomolgus monkey XCI.
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