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Further Proof of Genetic Inactivation of the X Chromosome in the Female Mule

Nature volume 237, pages 393–396 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

IN the female mule (Equus caballus × E. asinus), the horse (maternal) and the donkey (paternal) X chromosomes are morphologically distinguishable1,2, and the X-linked enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), is present as a combination of the two electrophoretically distinct parental forms3,4. Female mule cells therefore may serve as an experimental model for the simultaneous study of both cytological and biochemical aspects of dosage compensation for X-linked loci in mammals (Lyon hypothesis5). We have demonstrated a very close correlation between late replication of either one or the other of the parental X chromosomes, and relative activity of the complementary form of G-6-PD6. In this study we have obtained further and more rigorous proof that late replication of the X chromosome corresponds to genetic inactivation at the G-6-PD locus. We have also obtained data bearing on the problem of the postulated randomness of inactivation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 14222

    MARIO C. RATTAZZI & MAIMON M. COHEN

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  1. MARIO C. RATTAZZI
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  2. MAIMON M. COHEN
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RATTAZZI, M., COHEN, M. Further Proof of Genetic Inactivation of the X Chromosome in the Female Mule. Nature 237, 393–396 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/237393a0

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