GSBS Program
Cell Biology
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Cell Biology
Date
2-1-1996
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
*Cell Cycle; Cell Line; Chromatin; Collagen; DNA Probes; Diploidy; Female; G1 Phase; Gene Library; Humans; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Male; Mitosis; Models, Structural; Nuclear Matrix; RNA; RNA Splicing; *RNA, Untranslated; Transcription Factors; Transcription, Genetic; *X Chromosome
Disciplines
Cell Biology | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
The XIST gene is implicated in X chromosome inactivation, yet the RNA contains no apparent open reading frame. An accumulation of XIST RNA is observed near its site of transcription, the inactive X chromosome (Xi). A series of molecular cytogenetic studies comparing properties of XIST RNA to other protein coding RNAs, support a critical distinction for XIST RNA; XIST does not concentrate at Xi simply because it is transcribed and processed there. Most notably, morphometric and 3-D analysis reveals that XIST RNA and Xi are coincident in 2- and 3-D space; hence, the XIST RNA essentially paints Xi. Several results indicate that the XIST RNA accumulation has two components, a minor one associated with transcription and processing, and a spliced major component, which stably associates with Xi. Upon transcriptional inhibition the major spliced component remains in the nucleus and often encircles the extra-prominent heterochromatic Barr body. The continually transcribed XIST gene and its polyadenylated RNA consistently localize to a nuclear region devoid of splicing factor/poly A RNA rich domains. XIST RNA remains with the nuclear matrix fraction after removal of chromosomal DNA. XIST RNA is released from its association with Xi during mitosis, but shows a unique highly particulate distribution. Collective results indicate that XIST RNA may be an architectural element of the interphase chromosome territory, possibly a component of nonchromatin nuclear structure that specifically associates with Xi. XIST RNA is a novel nuclear RNA which potentially provides a specific precedent for RNA involvement in nuclear structure and cis-limited gene regulation via higher-order chromatin packaging.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: J Cell Biol. 1996 Feb;132(3):259-75. Link to article on publisher's website