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Expression of Xist in mouse germ cells correlates with X–chromosome inactivation

Nature Genetics volume 2, pages 200–203 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

Mammals compensate for different doses of X–chromosome–linked genes in male (XY) and female (XX) somatic cells by terminally inactivating all but one X chromosome in each cell. A transiently inactive X chromosome is also found in germ cells, specifically in premeiotic oogenic cells and in meiotic and postmeiotic spermatogenic cells. Here we show that the Xist gene, which is a expressed predominantly from the inactive X–chromosome in female somatic cells, is also expressed in germ cells of both sexes, but only at those stages when an inactive X chromosome is present. This suggests support for the putative role of Xist as a regulator of X–chromosome inactivation and suggest a common mechanism for the initiation and/or maintenance of X–chromosome inactivation in all cell types.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, P.O. Box 28147, San Antonio, TX, 78228, USA

    John R. McCarrey & Donald D. Dilworth

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  1. John R. McCarrey
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  2. Donald D. Dilworth
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McCarrey, J., Dilworth, D. Expression of Xist in mouse germ cells correlates with X–chromosome inactivation. Nat Genet 2, 200–203 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1192-200

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