Population variability in X-chromosome inactivation across 9 mammalian species.

ABSTRACT: One of the two X chromosomes in female mammals is epigenetically silenced in embryonic stem cells by X chromosome inactivation (XCI). This creates a mosaic of cells expressing either the maternal or the paternal X allele. The XCI ratio, the proportion of inactivated parental alleles, varies widely among individuals, representing the largest instance of epigenetic variability within mammalian populations. While various contributing factors to XCI variability are recognized, namely stochastic and/or genetic effects, their relative contributions are poorly understood. This is due in part to limited cross-species analysis, making it difficult to distinguish between generalizable or species-specific mechanisms for XCI ratio variability. To address this gap, we measured XCI ratios in nine mammal

SUBMITTER: Werner JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10614859 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature