X chromosome inactivation

A study finds that XIST, the gene that shuts down one X chromosome in people who have two, is linked to cancer in males. 

About one-quarter of the hundreds of genes on the inactivated X chromosome in XX cells manage to escape that silencing, at least some of the time.

When X-linked genes evade silencing on the “inactive” chromosome in XX cells, some protect women from diseases such as cancer, but others seem to promote conditions such as autoimmunity.

Working with bacteriophages and nematodes, the University of California, Berkeley, molecular biologist uncovered a role for genetic switches in early development.

The molecular processes that lead males to be more susceptible to the disease are only beginning to come to light.

Alterations in epigenetic markers on the X chromosome may be why males outnumber females among murine offspring bred through in vitro fertilization.

A look at the contributions of some of the prominent researchers who died this year

British geneticist Mary Lyon has passed away at age 89.

A new full-genome map indicates how DNA is folded within the nuclei of human cells.

Mistimed sleep disrupts human transcriptome; canine tumor genome; de novo Drosophila genes; UVA light lowers blood pressure; aquatic microfauna fight frog-killing fungus

Researchers develop mouse lines to help them see whether the maternal or paternal X chromosome is inactivated.