Mammalian X chromosome inactivation is a complex epigenetic mechanism that ensures a near-balanced level of gene expression between males (XY) and females (XX). This chromosome-wide regulation makes the X an ideal model for studying heterochromatin regulation and structure. X inactivation affects a sizable portion of the mammalian genome and is crucial for normal development and normal lifespan. Indeed, X aberrations have been linked to birth defects and to age-related diseases. My research group has made several contributions to understanding the structure and regulation of the X by developing useful mouse models and studying human conditions with sex chromosome anomalies, while embracing novel technologies to advance the field. Here, I consider challenges related to the physical structure and location of the inactive X within the nucleus, with a focus on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). By scaffolding proteins into flexible complexes lncRNAs have emerged as adaptable elements that organize chromatin and regulate gene expression, but many questions remain unanswered about their mechanisms of action. I will examine the cis- and trans- roles of conserved X-linked lncRNA loci and their transcripts in regulating the structure and location of the X chromosome within the nucleus. We found that Dxz4 shapes the unique bipartite structure of the inactive X in cis and Firre apparently controls the inactive X location and epigenetic features in trans. Here, I propose to introduce new approaches to manipulate these and other lncRNA loci and to relocate specific X chromosome regions within the nucleus. This will address the fundamental role of physical location in relation to heterochromatin formation and maintenance. Escape from X inactivation in females and the presence of a Y in males lead to sexual dimorphisms in cell physiology. Cell-type diversity within tissues is extensive but poorly understood; yet, novel exciting new technologies can measure gene expression and chromatin features in tens of thousands of single cells in vivo. To address the role of sex-linked genes at the cellular and organismal level I will establish an in vivo atlas of allelic features in single cells of male and female mouse tissues. Single-cell technology will also be applied to mouse and human tissues from fetuses and adults with sex chromosome aneuploidy to determine the impact on cell types. An interesting possibility is that an adaptive developmental epigenetic response to aneuploidy explains phenotypic variability. To explore this, I will compare epigenetic features in tissues to those obtained in isogenic cell lines with induced X chromosome loss. My goal is to understand the role of the sex chromosomes in sex differences and sex chromosome disorders in vivo.
Dosage of gene expression throughout the genome is critical for normal development and for disease-free lifespan. We employ the X chromosome as a useful model system to address the role of long non-coding RNAs and epigenetic modifications in structural and regulatory features of silenced versus active chromatin. Our project considers sex-specific differences at the single-cell level in normal tissues and in tissues with sex chromosome aneuploidy to understand the role of the X chromosome in normal physiology and in birth defects.
