Originally published as Genetics Published Articles Ahead of Print on June 21, 2005.

Genetics, Vol. 171, 663-672, October 2005, Copyright © 2005
doi:10.1534/genetics.105.043026

The Element(s) at the Nontranscribed Xist Locus of the Active X Chromosome Controls Chromosomal Replication Timing in the Mouse

Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095

1 Corresponding author: UCLA Department of Human Genetics, Gonda Center, Room 4558, 695 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7088.
E-mail: ymarahrens{at}mednet.ucla.edu

In female mammalian cells, the inactive X chromosome is replicated late in S phase while the active X chromosome is replicated earlier. The replication times of the X chromosomes reflect a general trend in which late replication is associated with gene repression and earlier replication with transcriptional competence. The X-linked Xist gene is expressed exclusively from the inactive X chromosome where it is involved in the initiation and maintenance of X-inactivation. In contrast, no biological activity has been assigned to the Xist locus of the active X chromosome where the Xist gene is transcriptionally silenced. Here, we provide evidence that the element(s) at the nontranscribed Xist locus of the active X chromosome controls chromosomal replication timing in cis.




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