Control of Xist expression

•  Long noncoding RNAs encoded within the XIC

•  Rnf12, X-linked gene which encodes a protein activator of
Xist

Control of Xist expression

•  Long noncoding RNAs encoded within the XIC

•  Rnf12, X-linked gene which encodes a protein activator of
Xist
•  Pluripotency factors – help maintain the pluripotent state of
embryonic stem cells and other pluripotent cells e.g.
primordial germ cells
–  e.g. Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, Rex1 - transcription factors that activate
the expression of a network of genes in the pluripotency circuitry

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Control of Xist expression by pluripotency factors

sperm

Pre-implantation period
Imprinted X
2 cell inactivation: Paternal
oocyte embryo 4 cell X is silenced
somatic
cells embryo

morula
Random X inactivation
maintained in somatic
cells
blastocyst

primordial germ cells:

2 active X chromosomes gastrula
inner cell mass:
2 active X chromosomes
mid-gestation
somatic embryo
trophectoderm
cells
placenta Imprinted X inactivation
Random X inactivation: maintained in extra-
epiblast embryonic tissues
Initiated at E5.5 in mice

Pluripotency factors silence Xist expression by

1. repressing Xist expression directly, by binding Xist intron 1

2. activating Tsix via binding DXPas34 and Xite, Tsix represses Xist

3. repressing Rnf12, as Rnf12 activates Xist

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Pluripotency factors silence Xist expression by

1. repressing Xist expression directly, by binding Xist intron 1

2. activating Tsix via binding DXPas34 and Xite, Tsix represses Xist

3. repressing Rnf12, as Rnf12 activates Xist

Upon differentiation, pluripotency factors are reduced, relieving the

silencing of Xist

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