Biology – Quantitative Biology – Genomics
Scientific paper
2009-10-13
PLoS Comp.Bio. 4, e1000244 (2008)
Biology
Quantitative Biology
Genomics
Scientific paper
At the onset of X Chromosomes Inactivation, the vital process whereby female mammal cells equalize X products with respect to males, the X chromosomes are colocalized along their Xic (X-Inactivation Center) regions. The mechanism inducing recognition and pairing of the X's remains, though, elusive. Starting from recent discoveries on the molecular factors and on the DNA sequences (the so-called ``pairing sites'') involved, we dissect the mechanical basis of Xic colocalization by using a Statistical Physics model. We show that soluble DNA specific binding molecules, as those experimentally identified, can be indeed sufficient to induce the spontaneous colocalization of the homologous chromosomes, but only when their concentration, or chemical affinity, rises above a threshold value, as a consequence of a thermodynamic phase transition. We derive the likelihood of pairing and its probability distribution. Chromosome dynamics has two stages: an initial independent Brownian diffusion followed, after a characteristic time scale, by recognition and pairing. Finally, we investigate the effects of DNA deletion/insertions in the region of pairing sites and compare model predictions to available experimental data.
Nicodemi Mario
Scialdone Antonio
No associations
LandOfFree
Mechanics and Dynamics of X-Chromosome Pairing at X Inactivation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Mechanics and Dynamics of X-Chromosome Pairing at X Inactivation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mechanics and Dynamics of X-Chromosome Pairing at X Inactivation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-641333