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Genome research2012; 22(10); 1855-1863; doi: 10.1101/gr.138487.112

Random X inactivation in the mule and horse placenta.

Abstract: In eutherian mammals, dosage compensation of X-linked genes is achieved by X chromosome inactivation. X inactivation is random in embryonic and adult tissues, but imprinted X inactivation (paternal X silencing) has been identified in the extra-embryonic membranes of the mouse, rat, and cow. Few other species have been studied for this trait, and the data from studies of the human placenta have been discordant or inconclusive. Here, we quantify X inactivation using RNA sequencing of placental tissue from reciprocal hybrids of horse and donkey (mule and hinny). In placental tissue from the equid hybrids and the horse parent, the allelic expression pattern was consistent with random X inactivation, and imprinted X inactivation can clearly be excluded. We characterized horse and donkey XIST gene and demonstrated that XIST allelic expression in female hybrid placental and fetal tissues is negatively correlated with the other X-linked genes chromosome-wide, which is consistent with the XIST-mediated mechanism of X inactivation discovered previously in mice. As the most structurally and morphologically diverse organ in mammals, the placenta also appears to show diverse mechanisms for dosage compensation that may result in differences in conceptus development across species.
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Publication Date: 2012-05-29 PubMed ID: 22645258PubMed Central: PMC3460181DOI: 10.1101/gr.138487.112Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focuses on how X chromosome inactivation occurs in mammals, specifically mule and horse placenta. The study utilises RNA sequencing of placental tissue from horse-donkey hybrids to show that their X inactivation pattern aligns with random X inactivation, negating the possibility of imprinted X inactivation.

Understanding X Chromosome Inactivation

  • The study revolves around X chromosome inactivation—an essential biological process—where one of the two copies of the X chromosome present in female mammals gets inactivated. This process ensures balance or dosage compensation of X-linked genes between males (XY) and females (XX). Each female cell silences one X chromosome during embryonic development—a process that’s random.
  • Imprinted X inactivation is a non-random type of X chromosome inactivation where the paternal X chromosome is always inactivated in certain extra-embryonic tissues.

Pacental X Inactivation in Horse-Donkey Hybrids

  • The study used RNA sequencing on placental tissue obtained from horse and donkey hybrids (mule and hinny) to examine the pattern of X inactivation.
  • The results showed that the X inactivation in these specimens was random, thereby ruling out imprinted X inactivation.

About XIST Gene

  • The XIST (X-inactive specific transcript) gene is crucial in the X-chromosome inactivation process. This gene’s primary function is to inactivate extra X chromosomes.
  • The researchers studied the XIST gene in both horse and donkey and observed that the pattern of XIST allelic expression in female hybrid placental and fetal tissues is inversely related with other X-linked genes throughout the chromosome, consistent with prior discoveries in mice.

Implication of Findings

  • The finding implies potential variations in the mechanism of dosage compensation across different species. This could lead to varying development patterns in offspring.
  • The placenta, noted for its structural and morphological diversity among mammals, may also manifest diverse mechanisms for dosage compensation. The difference in dosage compensation mechanisms may subsequently impact the developmental patterns of mammalian offspring across different species.

Cite This Article

APA
Wang X, Miller DC, Clark AG, Antczak DF. (2012). Random X inactivation in the mule and horse placenta. Genome Res, 22(10), 1855-1863. https://doi.org/10.1101/gr.138487.112

Publication

Genome research
ISSN: 1549-5469
NlmUniqueID: 9518021
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 10
Pages: 1855-1863

Researcher Affiliations

Wang, Xu
  • Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Miller, Donald C
    Clark, Andrew G
      Antczak, Douglas F

        MeSH Terms

        • Alleles
        • Animals
        • Equidae
        • Female
        • Gene Expression Profiling
        • Genes, X-Linked
        • Genomic Imprinting
        • Horses
        • Male
        • Placenta / metabolism
        • Pregnancy
        • Transcriptome
        • X Chromosome Inactivation

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