Repeat E anchors Xist RNA to the inactive X chromosomal compartment through CDKN1A-interacting protein (CIZ1).

ABSTRACT: X chromosome inactivation is an epigenetic dosage compensation mechanism in female mammals driven by the long noncoding RNA, Xist. Although recent genomic and proteomic approaches have provided a more global view of Xist's function, how Xist RNA localizes to the inactive X chromosome (Xi) and spreads in cis remains unclear. Here, we report that the CDKN1-interacting zinc finger protein CIZ1 is critical for localization of Xist RNA to the Xi chromosome territory. Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) shows a tight association of CIZ1 with Xist RNA at the single-molecule level. CIZ1 interacts with a specific region within Xist exon 7-namely, the highly repetitive Repeat E motif. Using genetic analysis, we show that loss of CIZ1 or deletion of Repeat E in female cells phenocopi

SUBMITTER: Sunwoo H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5635913 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature