Requirement for Xist in X chromosome inactivation.
Penny GD., Kay GF., Sheardown SA., Rastan S., Brockdorff N.
The Xist gene has been proposed as a candidate for the X inactivation centre, the master regulatory switch locus that controls X chromosome inactivation. So far this hypothesis has been supported solely by indirect evidence. Here we describe gene targeting of Xist, and provide evidence for its absolute requirement in the process of X chromosome inactivation.