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X-Chromosome Inactivation: Does it Occur at the Same Time in all Cells of the Embryo?

Nature New Biology volume 240, pages 277–279 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

THE mosaic phenotype associated with many sex-linked genes in heterozygous females in mammals is generally believed to result from the random inactivation of one X chromosome in each cell during development1,2. Inactivation is thought to occur quite early in embryonic life, and more or less at the same time in all cells of the embryo3. Having earlier4 shown that in the retinal melanocytes of the mouse it probably occurs much later than had formerly been thought, we have now carried out a similar study on migratory melanocytes, which are of a different origin, and which start forming pigment later.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Genetics, University College, London,

    M. S. DEOL

  2. The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine

    W. K. WHITTEN

Authors
  1. M. S. DEOL
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  2. W. K. WHITTEN
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DEOL, M., WHITTEN, W. X-Chromosome Inactivation: Does it Occur at the Same Time in all Cells of the Embryo?. Nature New Biology 240, 277–279 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio240277a0

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