Journal
BIOESSAYS
Volume 42, Issue 4, Pages -Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900163
Keywords
epigenetic memory; feedback loops; gene regulatory networks; mathematical modeling; monoallelic expression; toggle switch; X-chromosome inactivation
Categories
Funding
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [GRK1772] Funding Source: Medline
- Human Frontier Science Program [CDA00064/2018-C] Funding Source: Medline
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung [Ebio:Xist 031L0072] Funding Source: Medline
- E:bio Module III-Xnet [BMBF 031L0072] Funding Source: Medline
- Max-Planck Research Group Leader program Funding Source: Medline
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X-chromosome inactivation ensures dosage compensation between the sexes in mammals by randomly choosing one out of the two X chromosomes in females for inactivation. This process imposes a plethora of questions: How do cells count their X chromosome number and ensure that exactly one stays active? How do they randomly choose one of two identical X chromosomes for inactivation? And how do they stably maintain this state of monoallelic expression? Here, different regulatory concepts and their plausibility are evaluated in the context of theoretical studies that have investigated threshold behavior, ultrasensitivity, and bistability through mathematical modeling. It is discussed how a twofold difference between a single and a double dose of X-linked genes might be converted to an all-or-nothing response and how mutually exclusive expression can be initiated and maintained. Finally, candidate factors that might mediate the proposed regulatory principles are reviewed.
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