Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

7.8K
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...
7.8K
X-Inactivation01:58

X-Inactivation

43.0K
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.
43.0K
X-inactivation01:58

X-inactivation

7.0K
7.0K
Dosage Compensation02:50

Dosage Compensation

7.8K
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...
7.8K
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes02:45

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

10.1K
In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.  
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
10.1K
Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

19.0K
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...
19.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Objective verification of continuous speech sound discrimination using the acoustic change complex.

Frontiers in human neuroscience·2026
Same author

Left ventricular perforation after transatrial delivery of a balloon-expandable valve.

JTCVS structural and endovascular·2026
Same author

Modification of internal RNA domains from the long non-coding RNA XIST refines roles in silencing and heterochromatin recruitment.

Human molecular genetics·2026
Same author

Sex Differences in Arterial Grafting in Patients Undergoing Dialysis and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

JAMA surgery·2026
Same author

Factors Associated With Survival-to-Discharge in Patients With High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism Requiring Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Structural heart : the journal of the Heart Team·2026
Same author

Bilateral versus single internal mammary artery use in patients with chronic kidney disease.

General thoracic and cardiovascular surgery·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 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

28.6K

Have humans lost control: The elusive X-controlling element.

Samantha B Peeters1, Christine Yang1, Carolyn J Brown1

  • 1Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|February 7, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Scientists explore if humans have a genetic factor, like mice, that influences X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) preference. Understanding this could impact human health and X-linked disease research.

Keywords:
Dosage compensationMosaicismSkewingX inactivation centerX-chromosome inactivationX-controlling element

More Related Videos

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

6.9K
Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells
07:34

Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells

Published on: January 10, 2014

7.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 26, 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

28.6K
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

6.9K
Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells
07:34

Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells

Published on: January 10, 2014

7.9K

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a crucial process in female mammals, randomly silencing one X chromosome.
  • Non-random XCI, or skewing, can have implications for X-linked diseases.
  • Mice possess an X-controlling element (Xce) that influences XCI patterns, but its human equivalent is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for a human X-controlling locus.
  • To discuss the challenges in identifying such a locus in humans.
  • To consider the role of selective growth in skewed XCI patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on X-chromosome inactivation in mammals.
  • Analysis of genetic and developmental factors influencing XCI.
  • Discussion of challenges in human genetic studies.

Main Results:

  • The existence of a human X-controlling element analogous to mouse Xce is currently unclear.
  • Identifying such a locus in humans is complicated by genomic complexity and limited experimental models.
  • Selective growth can contribute to observed skewed XCI patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to determine if a human X-controlling locus exists.
  • Developing better models for early human development is crucial for XCI studies.
  • Understanding XCI skewing is vital for human health and disease research.