Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

X-inactivation

X-inactivation

X-Inactivation

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 Structures

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...

In-vitro Mutagenesis

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Deep learning-based stratification of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder from real-world data reveals distinct profiles of common and rare variant genetic signal.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Same author

Developmental convergence and divergence in human stem cell models of autism.

Nature·2026

Same author

Rare genetic variants confer a high risk of ADHD and implicate neuronal biology.

Nature·2025

Same author

Xist condensates: perspectives for therapeutic intervention.

Genome biology·2025

Same author

A foundational neuronal protein network model unifying multimodal genetic, transcriptional, and proteomic perturbations in schizophrenia.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2025

Same author

RNA: The Unsuspected Conductor in the Orchestra of Macromolecular Crowding.

Chemical reviews·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

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

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

X Inactivation Lessons from Differentiating Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.

Greta Pintacuda¹, Andrea Cerase

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.

Stem Cell Reviews and Reports

|July 23, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) silences one female X chromosome to balance gene dosage. This review explores advances in understanding XCI, focusing on its link with cell differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

More Related Videos

Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors

Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors

Published on: December 3, 2017

Differentiation and Characterization of Neural Progenitors and Neurons from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Differentiation and Characterization of Neural Progenitors and Neurons from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: May 15, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 6, 2026

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

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

Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors

Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors

Published on: December 3, 2017

Differentiation and Characterization of Neural Progenitors and Neurons from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Differentiation and Characterization of Neural Progenitors and Neurons from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: May 15, 2020

Area of Science:

Genetics
Developmental Biology
Mammalian Biology

Background:

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a key dosage compensation mechanism in female mammals.
It balances X-linked gene expression between sexes by silencing one X chromosome.
This process occurs during early embryonic development.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize recent advances in X chromosome inactivation research.
To discuss the intricate relationship between cell differentiation and XCI.
To focus specifically on XCI mechanisms within mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

Main Methods:

Review of existing scientific literature on XCI.
Analysis of studies utilizing mouse ESCs as a model system.
Synthesis of data connecting differentiation pathways with XCI initiation and progression.

Main Results:

Embryonic Stem cells (ESCs) effectively model early developmental events of XCI.
Cell differentiation is closely intertwined with the initiation and regulation of XCI.
Specific molecular pathways linking differentiation and XCI have been identified.

Conclusions:

Mouse ESCs provide a valuable platform for studying XCI dynamics.
Understanding the differentiation-XCI connection is crucial for developmental biology.
Further research in ESCs can elucidate fundamental aspects of XCI in mammals.