X Chromosome Inactivation and Differentiation in Stem Cells Lacking MacroH2A1 and MacroH2A2
Author Information
Author(s): Tanasijevic Borko, Rasmussen Theodore P., Chadwick Brian P.
Primary Institution: University of Connecticut
Hypothesis
Macrohistones might be important for the initiation and maintenance of X chromosome inactivation.
Conclusion
The study found that X chromosome inactivation can occur in stem cells even with significantly reduced levels of macroH2A proteins.
Supporting Evidence
- Female embryonic stem cells deficient for both macroH2A1 and macroH2A2 can still execute and maintain X chromosome inactivation upon differentiation.
- Both male and female mH2A-deficient embryonic stem cells proliferate normally under pluripotency culture conditions.
- X chromosome inactivation can proceed with substantially reduced total macroH2A content.
Takeaway
The researchers looked at how certain proteins affect the way cells turn off one of their X chromosomes. They found that even when these proteins are missing, the cells can still do this job.
Methodology
The study involved creating embryonic stem cell lines that were deficient in macroH2A1 and macroH2A2 using shRNA constructs and assessing their ability to undergo differentiation and X chromosome inactivation.
Limitations
The study did not explore the effects of macroH2A deficiency in vivo or the long-term consequences of such deficiencies.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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