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Statistical Mechanics Models For X-Chromosome Inactivation

Author

Listed:
  • ANTONIO SCIALDONE

    (Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK;
    INFN, Napoli, Italy)

  • MARIO NICODEMI

    (Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK;
    INFN, Napoli, Italy)

Abstract

We present statistical mechanics models to understand the physical and molecular mechanisms of X-Chromosome Inactivation (XCI), the process whereby a female mammal cell inactivates one of its two X-chromosomes. During XCI, X-chromosomes undergo a series of complex regulatory processes. At the beginning of XCI, the X's recognize and pair, then only one X which is randomly chosen is inactivated. Afterwards, the two X's move to different positions in the cell nucleus according to their different status (active/silenced). Our models illustrate about the still mysterious physical bases underlying all these regulatory steps, i.e., X-chromosome pairing, random choice of inactive X, and "shuttling" of the X's to their post-XCI locations. Our models are based on general and robust thermodynamic roots, and their validity can go beyond XCI, to explain analogous regulatory mechanisms in a variety of cellular processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Scialdone & Mario Nicodemi, 2010. "Statistical Mechanics Models For X-Chromosome Inactivation," Advances in Complex Systems (ACS), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 13(03), pages 367-376.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:acsxxx:v:13:y:2010:i:03:n:s0219525910002566
    DOI: 10.1142/S0219525910002566
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