Female mammalian cells silence one of their two X chromosomes, resulting in equal expression levels of Xencoded genes in female XX and male XY cells. In mice, the X chromosomes in female cells go through sequential steps of inactivation and reactivation. Depending on the developmental time window, imprinted or random X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is initiated, and both processes lead to an inactive X chromosome that is clonally inherited. Here, we review new insights into the life cycle of XCI and provide an overview of the mechanisms regulating X inactivation and reactivation.

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doi.org/10.1242/dev.069328, hdl.handle.net/1765/74722
Development (Cambridge)
Department of Reproduction and Development

Barakat, T. S., & Gribnau, J. (2012). X chromosome inactivation in the cycle of life. Development (Cambridge), 139(12), 2085–2089. doi:10.1242/dev.069328