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- Title
The mouse X chromosome is enriched for multicopy testis genes showing postmeiotic expression.
- Authors
Mueller, Jacob L.; Mahadevaiah, Shantha K.; Park, Peter J.; Warburton, Peter E.; Page, David C.; Turner, James M. A.
- Abstract
According to the prevailing view, mammalian X chromosomes are enriched in spermatogenesis genes expressed before meiosis and deficient in spermatogenesis genes expressed after meiosis. The paucity of postmeiotic genes on the X chromosome has been interpreted as a consequence of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI)—the complete silencing of genes on the XY bivalent at meiotic prophase. Recent studies have concluded that MSCI-initiated silencing persists beyond meiosis and that most genes on the X chromosome remain repressed in round spermatids. Here, we report that 33 multicopy gene families, representing ∼273 mouse X-linked genes, are expressed in the testis and that this expression is predominantly in postmeiotic cells. RNA FISH and microarray analysis show that the maintenance of X chromosome postmeiotic repression is incomplete. Furthermore, X-linked multicopy genes exhibit a similar degree of expression as autosomal genes. Thus, not only is the mouse X chromosome enriched for spermatogenesis genes functioning before meiosis, but in addition, ∼18% of mouse X-linked genes are expressed in postmeiotic cells.
- Subjects
HUMAN genetics; X chromosome; SEX chromosomes; MEIOSIS; RNA; TESTIS
- Publication
Nature Genetics, 2008, Vol 40, Issue 6, p794
- ISSN
1061-4036
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/ng.126