Evidence that homologous X-chromosome pairing requires transcription and Ctcf protein
- 21 October 2007
- journal article
- letter
- Published by Springer Nature in Nature Genetics
- Vol. 39 (11) , 1390-1396
- https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.2007.5
Abstract
X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) ensures the equality of X-chromosome dosages in male and female mammals by silencing one X in the female1. To achieve the mutually exclusive designation of active X (Xa) and inactive X (Xi), the process necessitates that two Xs communicate in trans through homologous pairing2,3. Pairing depends on a 15-kb region within the genes Tsix and Xite2. Here, we dissect molecular requirements and find that pairing can be recapitulated by 1- to 2-kb subfragments of Tsix or Xite with little sequence similarity. However, a common denominator among them is the presence of the protein Ctcf, a chromatin insulator4,5,6,7 that we find to be essential for pairing. By contrast, the Ctcf-interacting partner, Yy1 (ref. 8), is not required. Pairing also depends on transcription. Transcriptional inhibition prevents new pair formation but does not perturb existing pairs. The kinetics suggest a pairing half-life of Tsix and Xite.Keywords
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