About this Research Topic
In male mammals (XY), the sex chromosomes undergo meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), an essential epigenetic process that occurs in germ cells undergoing meiosis. During MSCI, the X and Y chromosomes become condensed and transcriptionally silent, forming a compact XY body. MSCI is required for male meiosis, yet the reasons for this silencing at this developmental stage are still enigmatic.
Sex differences have been observed in a variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmunity. Recent work suggests that there is abnormal gene expression of X-linked genes in these disease states, yet the mechanisms responsible for these observations are unclear.
For this Research Topic, we call for original or review papers that address the following questions:
· What are novel insights regarding mechanisms of random and imprinted XCI during female development?
· What are the similarities and differences for XCI initiation in other species besides mice?
· How do the nuclear organization and 3D chromatin architecture of the Xi change during development and disease?
· How is XCI maintained in adult cells/tissues, and examples of alterations during disease?
· How do sex differences with gene expression from the X influence development and/or disease?
· How are X-linked genes regulated during gametogenesis; how do chromatin features change?
- What are the functions of the sex chromosomes during sex determination and gametogenesis?
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.