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X-chromosome inactivation is the process that evolved in mammals to equalize levels of X-linked gene expression in XX females relative to XY males. Silencing of a single X chromosome in female cells is mediated by the non-coding RNA Xist. Although progress has been made toward identifying factors that function in the maintenance of X inactivation, the primary silencing factors are largely undefined. We developed an shRNA screening strategy to produce a ranked list of candidate primary silencing factors. Validation experiments performed on several of the top hits identified the SPOC domain RNA binding proteins Rbm15 and Spen and Wtap, a component of the m6A RNA methyltransferase complex, as playing an important role in the establishment of Xist-mediated silencing. Localization analysis using super-resolution 3D-SIM microscopy demonstrates that these factors co-localize with Xist RNA within the nuclear matrix subcompartment, consistent with a direct interaction.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.celrep.2015.06.053

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell Rep

Publication Date

28/07/2015

Volume

12

Pages

562 - 572

Keywords

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus, Animals, Carrier Proteins, Cell Nucleus, Cells, Cultured, DNA-Binding Proteins, Embryonic Stem Cells, Gene Silencing, Mice, Nuclear Proteins, Protein Binding, Protein Structure, Tertiary, RNA, Long Noncoding, RNA-Binding Proteins