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Expression of the X–inactivation–associated gene XIST during spermatogenesis

Nature Genetics volume 2, pages 196–199 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

Mammalian X–chromosome inactivation is thought to be controlled by the X inactivation centre (XIC, X–controlling element –Xce– in mice). A human gene, XIST and its mouse counterpart, Xist, which map to the XIC/Xce, are expressed exclusively from inactive X chromosomes, suggesting their involvement in the process of X–inactivation. We now report the presence of Xist/XIST transcripts in newborn and adult mouse testes, and in human testicular tissue with normal spermatogenesis, but not in the testes of patients who lack germ cells. Our results indicate that while the X chromosome in males is active in somatic cells, it undergoes inactivation during spermatogenesis.

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Author notes

  1. Eduardo C. Salido & Larry J. Shapiro

    Present address: Department of Pediatrics, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, 94143, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, 90509, USA

    Eduardo C. Salido, Pauline H. Yen & Larry J. Shapiro

  2. Department of Pathology, University of La Laguna School of Medicine, E-38071, Tenerife, Spain

    Eduardo C. Salido

  3. Department of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, 90509, USA

    Pauline H. Yen, Thuluvancheri K. Mohandas & Larry J. Shapiro

  4. Department of Biological Chemistry, UCLA School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, 90509, USA

    Larry J. Shapiro

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  1. Eduardo C. Salido
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  2. Pauline H. Yen
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  3. Thuluvancheri K. Mohandas
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  4. Larry J. Shapiro
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Salido, E., Yen, P., Mohandas, T. et al. Expression of the X–inactivation–associated gene XIST during spermatogenesis. Nat Genet 2, 196–199 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1192-196

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