Difficult decisions in the cell nucleus: Inactivation of the X chromosome is dynamic and complex

Female mammals switch off one of their two X chromosomes during early stages of embryonic development. But how the cells decide which chromosome to turn off is still a mystery. The sequencing and analysis of thousands of single cultured cells now revealed more about the initial phase of this process. Apparently, in some cases both chromosomes will start the inactivation process before only one is activated again and emerges as the “winner”.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft