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Related Concept Videos

X-Inactivation01:58

X-Inactivation

The human X chromosome contains over ten times the number of genes as in the Y chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome, and females have two, one might expect females to produce twice as many of the proteins, with undesirable results.
X-inactivation01:58

X-inactivation

The human X chromosome contains over ten times the number of genes as in the Y chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome, and females have two, one might expect females to produce twice as many of the proteins, with undesirable results.
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions that take up more dye are called heterochromatin. Heterochromatin is further classified into two forms – constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin.
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
Euchromatin01:01

Euchromatin

The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions take up more dye, appearing darker, while the less-compact areas take up less dye and appear lighter. Based on the compaction level, chromatins are classified into two primary forms – euchromatin and heterochromatin.
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...
Dosage Compensation02:50

Dosage Compensation

In animals, gender is determined by the number and type of sex chromosome. For example, human females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas C.elegans with one X chromosome is a male, and the one with two X chromosomes is a hermaphrodite.
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with  distinct numbers of X chromosomes will have...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Non-random Mouse Model for Pharmacological Reactivation of Mecp2 on the Inactive X Chromosome
08:27

A Non-random Mouse Model for Pharmacological Reactivation of Mecp2 on the Inactive X Chromosome

Published on: May 22, 2019

A new model for random X chromosome inactivation.

Joshua Starmer1, Terry Magnuson

  • 1Department of Genetics and the Carolina Center for the Genome Sciences, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|November 28, 2008
PubMed
Summary

X chromosome inactivation equalizes gene dosage between sexes. Researchers propose a new model to explain how cells count X chromosomes and select which one to inactivate, guiding future research.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is crucial for dosage compensation in female mammals.
  • In eutherians, random XCI ensures one active X chromosome per diploid cell.
  • The molecular mechanisms governing X chromosome counting and inactivation choice remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel model for X chromosome inactivation.
  • To integrate recent findings into a cohesive framework.
  • To guide future experimental investigations into XCI mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review and re-interpretation of existing data on XCI.
  • Development of a theoretical model based on current literature.
  • Analysis of X chromosome mutations and transgenes.

More Related Videos

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

Pooled shRNA Screen for Reactivation of MeCP2 on the Inactive X Chromosome
11:15

Pooled shRNA Screen for Reactivation of MeCP2 on the Inactive X Chromosome

Published on: March 2, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Non-random Mouse Model for Pharmacological Reactivation of Mecp2 on the Inactive X Chromosome
08:27

A Non-random Mouse Model for Pharmacological Reactivation of Mecp2 on the Inactive X Chromosome

Published on: May 22, 2019

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

Pooled shRNA Screen for Reactivation of MeCP2 on the Inactive X Chromosome
11:15

Pooled shRNA Screen for Reactivation of MeCP2 on the Inactive X Chromosome

Published on: March 2, 2018

Main Results:

  • A new model is presented to explain XCI.
  • The model aims to reconcile diverse experimental observations.
  • It provides a basis for re-interpreting previous findings.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed model offers a new perspective on XCI.
  • It highlights key questions for future research.
  • Understanding XCI mechanisms is vital for reproductive health and developmental studies.