Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Combined DNA-RNA Fluorescent In situ Hybridization (FISH) to Study X Chromosome Inactivation in Differentiated Female Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
15:54

Combined DNA-RNA Fluorescent In situ Hybridization (FISH) to Study X Chromosome Inactivation in Differentiated Female Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: June 14, 2014

A SAGE approach to identifying novel trans-acting factors involved in the X inactivation process

A Bourdet1, C Ciaudo, L Zakin

  • 1Unité de Génétique Moléculaire Murine, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

Cytogenetic and Genome Research
|April 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified over 200 transcripts enriched in female embryos, offering new insights into X chromosome inactivation. This process is crucial for gene dosage compensation in female mammals.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is essential for dosage compensation between XX females and XY males.
  • XCI involves the Xist RNA and chromatin modifications leading to transcriptional silencing of one X chromosome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify molecular players involved in XCI.
  • To compare gene expression profiles between female and male embryos at a key developmental stage.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative transcriptional profiling using a modified Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) technique.
  • Analysis of mouse embryos at 6.5 days post-coitum (dpc).
  • Validation in differentiating embryonic stem (ES) cells and Xist-inhibited female ES cells.

Main Results:

  • Identified approximately 200 transcripts significantly enriched in female gastrulas compared to male counterparts at 6.5 dpc.
  • Validated the association of a subset of these transcripts with the XCI process.
  • Demonstrated differential transcript enrichment correlating with XCI establishment and interruption.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified novel candidate genes potentially involved in X chromosome inactivation.
  • Transcriptional profiling provides a powerful approach to uncover molecular mechanisms of XCI.
  • Findings contribute to understanding gene dosage regulation in female mammals.

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