The goal of this project is to elucidate the mechanism by which active and inactive transcription is established, organized, and maintained within the inactive X-chromosome (Xi) in mammalian females. Orchestration of gene expression and repression is crucial for proper development and cell viability. X-chromosome inactivation (X-inactivation), a mechanism to dosage compensate X-linked genes between XY males and XX females in mammals, is an example of programmed gene regulation whereby one of the two X-chromosomes is transcriptionally inactivated in early female embryos. Several non-coding genes localize to the X-inactivation center (Xic), and their interplay initiates X-inactivation. Whle one of the two X-chromosomes in females is inactivated in a chromosome-wide fashion, expression from escape genes on the Xi is essential for proper female development in humans because haploinsufficiency of escape genes affects embryonic survival and causes Turner syndrome in live-born females. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying gene regulation on the Xi is of high clinical relevance. However, little is known about how organized gene expression and repression are established within the Xi. In this proposal, we aim to dissect the molecular basis of how transcriptionally active compartments are established in an otherwise transcriptionally inactive environment. Our central hypothesis is that escape genes on the Xi are regulated in two different ways: protection from X-inactivation and transcriptional activation. In addition to the conventional boundary elements and/or genomic context model, both published studies and our preliminary data indicate that escape gene reactivation is an essential step for escape gene expression from the Xi. Based on our preliminary studies using a mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell system, we propose the Xi-specific reactivation model for escape gene expression on the Xi. We will investigate the mechanism of escape gene expression by (Aim 1) determining how chromatin modifiers that promote transcriptional activation regulate escape gene expression on the Xi, (Aim 2) elucidating the role of the 3? end of Xist RNA in X-linked gene regulation during X-inactivation, and (Aim 3) using our novel functional assay system to dissect how genetic elements contribute to create transcriptionally active compartments. The proposed study in gene regulation during X-inactivation will potentially reveal a universal role for long non-protein coding (non-coding) RNAs in a wide variety of biological processes.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed study will uncover the molecular mechanism of X-linked gene regulation via long non-coding RNAs during X-chromosome inactivation, which is essential for embryonic viability and proper development for mammalian females. Thus, the proposed study has relevance for both birth defects and genetic disorders, such as cancer in humans, and is thus of high clinical significance. Because long non-coding RNAs are involved in a wide variety of critical biological processes (including imprinting and tumor suppression), an understanding of non-coding RNA-mediated gene regulation will lead to an understanding of the genetic causes of imprinted gene disorders, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann and Angelman syndromes and cancer.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
4R01GM102184-05
Application #
9115206
Study Section
Molecular Genetics B Study Section (MGB)
Program Officer
Carter, Anthony D
Project Start
2012-09-01
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-01
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071284913
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45229
Yue, Minghui; Ogawa, Yuya (2018) CRISPR/Cas9-mediated modulation of splicing efficiency reveals short splicing isoform of Xist RNA is sufficient to induce X-chromosome inactivation. Nucleic Acids Res 46:e26
Yue, Minghui; Ogawa, Akiyo; Yamada, Norishige et al. (2017) Xist RNA repeat E is essential for ASH2L recruitment to the inactive X and regulates histone modifications and escape gene expression. PLoS Genet 13:e1006890
Richard, John Lalith Charles; Ogawa, Yuya (2016) Understanding the Complex Circuitry of lncRNAs at the X-inactivation Center and Its Implications in Disease Conditions. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 394:1-27
Yue, Minghui; Charles Richard, John Lalith; Ogawa, Yuya (2016) Dynamic interplay and function of multiple noncoding genes governing X chromosome inactivation. Biochim Biophys Acta 1859:112-20
Yamada, Norishige; Hasegawa, Yuko; Yue, Minghui et al. (2015) Xist Exon 7 Contributes to the Stable Localization of Xist RNA on the Inactive X-Chromosome. PLoS Genet 11:e1005430
Yue, Minghui; Charles Richard, John Lalith; Yamada, Norishige et al. (2014) Quick fluorescent in situ hybridization protocol for Xist RNA combined with immunofluorescence of histone modification in X-chromosome inactivation. J Vis Exp :e52053