An H4K16 histone acetyltransferase mediates decondensation of the X chromosome in C. elegans males.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In C. elegans, in order to equalize gene expression between the sexes and balance X and autosomal expression, two steps are believed to be required. First, an unknown mechanism is hypothesized to upregulate the X chromosome in both sexes. This mechanism balances the X to autosomal expression in males, but creates X overexpression in hermaphrodites. Therefore, to restore the balance, hermaphrodites downregulate gene expression twofold on both X chromosomes. While many studies have focused on X chromosome downregulation, the mechanism of X upregulation is not known.

Results

To gain more insight into X upregulation, we studied the effects of chromatin condensation and histone acetylation on gene expression levels in male C. elegans. We have found that t

SUBMITTER: Lau AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5070013 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature