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In mammals, chromosome-wide regulatory mechanisms ensure a balance of X-linked gene dosage between males (XY) and females (XX). In female cells, expression of genes from one of the two X chromosomes is curtailed, with selective accumulation of Xist-RNA, Xist-associated proteins, specific histone modifications (for example, H3K27me3) and Barr body formation observed throughout interphase. Here we show, using chromosome flow-sorting, that during mitosis, Xist-associated proteins dissociate from inactive X (Xi) chromosomes, while high levels of H3K27me3 and increased compaction of the Xi relative to active X (Xa), are retained. Proteomic comparison of mitotic Xi and Xa revealed that components of Hbo1 and Msl/Mof histone acetyltransferase complexes are significantly enriched on Xa as compared to Xi and autosomes. By contrast, inhibitors of histone acetylation co-enrich with Xi. Furthermore, inhibition of Hbo1 or deletion of Msl/Mof components functionally abolishes mitotic differences in H3K27me3 marking and chromosome compaction. These data uncover critical roles for acetylation pathways in preserving X chromosome properties during mitosis.
Djeghloul et al. (Mon,) studied this question.