Xist condensates: perspectives for therapeutic intervention

Abstract X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a crucial mechanism of dosage compensation in female mammals ensuring that genes from only one X chromosome are expressed, initiated through expression of the long noncoding RNA Xist. Recent evidence underscores the significance of molecular crowding—most...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Irene Perotti, Laura Broglia, Gian Gaetano Tartaglia, Andrea Cerase
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Genome Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-025-03666-8
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Summary:Abstract X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a crucial mechanism of dosage compensation in female mammals ensuring that genes from only one X chromosome are expressed, initiated through expression of the long noncoding RNA Xist. Recent evidence underscores the significance of molecular crowding—most likely via liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS)—in forming Xist RNA-driven condensates critical for establishing and sustaining the silenced state. By integrating existing knowledge and emerging ideas, we provide a comprehensive perspective on the molecular underpinnings of XCI and outline how manipulation of LLPS-based mechanisms offers new avenues for novel therapeutic approaches.
ISSN:1474-760X