Abstract
X chromosome inactivation (XCI) takes place during early stages of embryonic development in female mammals, resulting in random silencing of one of the two X chromosomes. Inactivation is initiated at the X-inactivation centre (XIC) within the future inactive X chromosome (Xi). The XIC houses, among other non-coding RNA genes, the XIST gene. The XIST transcript coats the future Xi, inducin…