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Identification of a cluster of X-linked imprinted genes in mice

Nature Genetics volume 37, pages 620–624 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Complete or partial monosomy with respect to the X chromosome is the genetic basis of Turner syndrome in human females. Individuals with Turner syndrome have a spectrum of anatomical, physiological and behavioral phenotypes with expressivity dependent on the extent of monosomy and the parental origin of the single X1. Parent-of-origin influences on social cognition in Turner syndrome might be due to the presence of imprinted genes on the X2. Imprinting of X-linked genes has also been implicated in the male prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders3, in male sexual orientation4,5 and in the developmental delay of XO mouse embryos6,7,8. The only molecular evidence for X-chromosome imprinting, however, concerns X-chromosome inactivation in specific circumstances9,10 and does not account for these phenotypes. Using a mouse model for Turner syndrome, we searched for locus-specific imprinting of X-linked genes in developing brain. We identified a cluster of X-linked genes containing at least three genes that show transcriptional repression of paternal alleles. Imprinting of these three genes, Xlr3b, Xlr4b and Xlr4c, is independent of X-chromosome inactivation and has a dynamic and complex pattern of tissue and stage specificity.

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Figure 1: Schematic of two clusters of Xlr3 and Xlr4 genes on the C57BL/6J X chromosome.
Figure 2: Allele-specific expression assays of Xlr3-Xlr4 and surrounding genes in P0 mouse whole brain shows paternal repression of certain paralogs of Xlr3 and Xlr4.
Figure 3: Allele-specific expression assays of Xlr3a-Xlr3b, Xlr4b and Xlr4c show variable imprinted expression in neonatal liver and X inactivation, but a lack of imprinting, in E16.5 mouse placenta.
Figure 4: Allele-specific expression assays of Xlr3a-Xlr3b, Xlr4b and Xlr4c in E14.5, P0 and adult brain subregions show stage and subregion variation of imprinted expression.
Figure 5: Q-PCR shows overexpression of Xlr3b and Xlr4b-Xlr4c in 39,Xm females and males versus 40,XX females.

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Acknowledgements

We thank R. O'Neill for advice in the course of this research and in preparation of the manuscript; E. Jockusch, C. Schoenherr, L. Strausbaugh and P. Vrana for critical reading of the manuscript; J. Schmidt for samples; and the Center for Applied Genetics and Technology at the University of Connecticut for granting access to gene microarray and real-time PCR instrumentation. This work was supported by a grant from the US National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke to M.J.O.

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  1. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 354 Mansfield Rd., U-2131, Storrs, 06269, Connecticut, USA

    Adam S Raefski & Michael J O'Neill

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  1. Adam S Raefski
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Correspondence to Michael J O'Neill.

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Supplementary information

Supplementary Table 1

Gene nomenclature. (PDF 54 kb)

Supplementary Table 2

PCR primers. (PDF 54 kb)

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Raefski, A., O'Neill, M. Identification of a cluster of X-linked imprinted genes in mice. Nat Genet 37, 620–624 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1567

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