Escape from X inactivation

CM Disteche, GN Filippova, KD Tsuchiya - Cytogenetic and genome …, 2002 - karger.com
CM Disteche, GN Filippova, KD Tsuchiya
Cytogenetic and genome research, 2002karger.com
Although the process of X inactivation in mammalian cells silences the majority of genes on
the inactivated X chromosome, some genes escape this chromosome-wide silencing. Genes
that escape X inactivation present a unique opportunity to study the process of silencing and
the mechanisms that protect some genes from being turned off. In this review, we will
discuss evolutionary aspects of escape from X inactivation, in relation to the divergence of
the sex chromosomes. Molecular characteristics, expression, and epigenetic modifications …
Abstract
Although the process of X inactivation in mammalian cells silences the majority of genes on the inactivated X chromosome, some genes escape this chromosome-wide silencing. Genes that escape X inactivation present a unique opportunity to study the process of silencing and the mechanisms that protect some genes from being turned off. In this review, we will discuss evolutionary aspects of escape from X inactivation, in relation to the divergence of the sex chromosomes. Molecular characteristics, expression, and epigenetic modifications of genes that escape will be presented, including their developmental regulation and the implications of chromatin domains along the X chromosome in modeling the escape process.   
Karger