EpigenomesPub Date : 2024-04-25DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8020016
Samia Quaiyum, Yifeng Yuan, Paul J Kuipers, Maria Martinelli, Marshall Jaroch, Valérie de Crécy-Lagard
{"title":"Deciphering the Diversity in Bacterial Transporters That Salvage Queuosine Precursors.","authors":"Samia Quaiyum, Yifeng Yuan, Paul J Kuipers, Maria Martinelli, Marshall Jaroch, Valérie de Crécy-Lagard","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes8020016","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epigenomes8020016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Queuosine (Q) is a modification of the wobble base of tRNA harboring GUN anticodons with roles in decoding accuracy and efficiency. Its synthesis is complex with multiple enzymatic steps, and several pathway intermediates can be salvaged. The only two transporter families known to salvage Q precursors are QPTR/COG1738 and QrtT/QueT. Analyses of the distribution of known Q synthesis and salvage genes in human gut and oral microbiota genomes have suggested that more transporter families remain to be found and that Q precursor exchanges must occur within the structured microenvironments of the mammalian host. Using physical clustering and fusion-based association with Q salvage genes, candidate genes for missing transporters were identified and five were tested experimentally by complementation assays in <i>Escherichia coli</i>. Three genes encoding transporters from three different Pfam families, a ureide permease (PF07168) from <i>Acidobacteriota</i> bacterium, a hemolysin III family protein (PF03006) from <i>Bifidobacterium breve</i>, and a Major Facilitator Superfamily protein (PF07690) from <i>Bartonella henselae</i>, were found to allow the transport of both preQ<sub>0</sub> and preQ<sub>1</sub> in this heterologous system. This work suggests that many transporter families can evolve to transport Q precursors, reinforcing the concept of transporter plasticity.</p>","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11130926/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141158955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2024-03-22DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8020012
Mohammad Nahian Ferdous Abrar, Yu Jiang, Hongmei Zhang, Liang Li, Hasan Arshad
{"title":"Epigenetic Features in Newborns Associated with Preadolescence Lung Function and Asthma Acquisition during Adolescence.","authors":"Mohammad Nahian Ferdous Abrar, Yu Jiang, Hongmei Zhang, Liang Li, Hasan Arshad","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes8020012","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epigenomes8020012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The association between newborn DNA methylation (DNAm) and asthma acquisition (AA) during adolescence has been suggested. Lung function (LF) has been shown to be associated with asthma risk and its severity. However, the role of LF in the associations between DNAm and AA is unclear, and it is also unknown whether the association between DNAm and AA is consistent with that between DNAm and LF. We address this question through assessing newborn epigenetic features of preadolescence LF and of AA during adolescence, along with their biological pathways and processes. Our study's primary medical significance lies in advancing the understanding of asthma's early life origins. By investigating epigenetic markers in newborns and their association with lung function in preadolescence, we aim to uncover potential early biomarkers of asthma risk. This could facilitate earlier detection and intervention strategies. Additionally, exploring biological pathways linking early lung function to later asthma development can offer insights into the disease's pathogenesis, potentially leading to novel therapeutic targets.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was based on the Isle of Wight Birth cohort (IOWBC). Female subjects with DNAm data at birth and with no asthma at age 10 years were included (n = 249). The R package ttScreening was applied to identify CpGs potentially associated with AA from 10 to 18 years and with LF at age 10 (FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC), respectively. Agreement in identified CpGs between AA and LF was examined, along with their biological pathways and processes via the R function gometh. We tested the findings in an independent cohort, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), to examine overall replicability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In IOWBC, 292 CpGs were detected with DNAm associated with AA and 1517 unique CpGs for LF (514 for FEV1, 436 for FVC, 408 for FEV1/FVC), with one overlapping CpG, cg23642632 (<i>NCKAP1</i>) between AA and LF. Among the IOWBC-identified CpGs, we further tested in ALSPAC and observed the highest agreement between the two cohorts in FVC with respect to the direction of association and statistical significance. Epigenetic enrichment analyses indicated non-specific connections in the biological pathways and processes between AA and LF.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The present study suggests that FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC (as objective measures of LF) and AA (incidence of asthma) are likely to have their own specific epigenetic features and biological pathways at birth. More replications are desirable to fully understand the complexity between DNAm, lung function, and asthma acquisition.</p>","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10961756/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140208300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2024-02-29DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010009
Wiesława Leśniak
{"title":"Dynamics and Epigenetics of the Epidermal Differentiation Complex.","authors":"Wiesława Leśniak","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes8010009","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epigenomes8010009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epidermis is the outer skin layer built of specialized cells called keratinocytes. Keratinocytes undergo a unique differentiation process, also known as cornification, during which their gene expression pattern, morphology and other properties change remarkably to the effect that the terminally differentiated, cornified cells can form a physical barrier, which separates the underlying tissues from the environment. Many genes encoding proteins that are important for epidermal barrier formation are located in a gene cluster called epidermal differentiation complex (EDC). Recent data provided valuable information on the dynamics of the EDC locus and the network of interactions between EDC gene promoters, enhancers and other regions, during keratinocytes differentiation. These data, together with results concerning changes in epigenetic modifications, provide a valuable insight into the mode of regulation of EDC gene expression.</p>","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10969700/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140295374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2024-01-29DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010005
Manal S Fawzy, Afaf T Ibrahiem, Dalia Mohammad Osman, Amany I Almars, Maali Subhi Alshammari, Layan Tariq Almazyad, Noof Daif Allah Almatrafi, Renad Tariq Almazyad, Eman A Toraih
{"title":"Angio-Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 (rs3200401) and MIAT (rs1061540) Gene Variants in Ovarian Cancer.","authors":"Manal S Fawzy, Afaf T Ibrahiem, Dalia Mohammad Osman, Amany I Almars, Maali Subhi Alshammari, Layan Tariq Almazyad, Noof Daif Allah Almatrafi, Renad Tariq Almazyad, Eman A Toraih","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes8010005","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epigenomes8010005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The genotyping of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could be associated with cancer risk and/or progression. This study aimed to analyze the angiogenesis-related lncRNAs MALAT1 (rs3200401) and MIAT (rs1061540) variants in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) using \"Real-Time allelic discrimination polymerase chain reaction\" in 182 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of benign, borderline, and primary malignant ovarian tissues. Differences in the genotype frequencies between low-grade ovarian epithelial tumors (benign/borderline) and malignant tumors and between high-grade malignant epithelial tumors and malignant epithelial tumors other than high-grade serous carcinomas were compared. Odds ratios (ORs)/95% confidence intervals were calculated as measures of the association strength. Additionally, associations of the genotypes with the available pathological data were analyzed. The heterozygosity of MALAT1 rs3200401 was the most common genotype (47.8%), followed by C/C (36.3%). Comparing the study groups, no significant differences were observed regarding this variant. In contrast, the malignant epithelial tumors had a higher frequency of the MIAT rs1061540 C/C genotype compared to the low-grade epithelial tumor cohorts (56.7% vs. 37.6, <i>p</i> = 0.031). The same genotype was significantly higher in high-grade serous carcinoma than its counterparts (69.4% vs. 43.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.038). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the age at diagnosis was significantly associated with the risk of OC development. In contrast, the MIAT T/T genotype was associated with a low risk of malignant epithelial tumors under the homozygote comparison model (OR = 0.37 (0.16-0.83), <i>p</i> = 0.017). Also, MIAT T allele carriers were less likely to develop high-grade serous carcinoma under heterozygote (CT vs. CC; OR = 0.33 (0.12-0.88), <i>p</i> = 0.027) and homozygote (TT vs. CC; OR = 0.26 (0.07-0.90), <i>p</i> = 0.034) comparison models. In conclusion, our data provide novel evidence for a potential association between the lncRNA MIAT rs1061540 and the malignant condition of ovarian cancer, suggesting the involvement of such lncRNAs in OC development.</p>","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10885055/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139934462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2023-12-27DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010002
Carlos de Tomás, Carlos M Vicient
{"title":"The Genomic Shock Hypothesis: Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Transposable Elements after Interspecific Hybridization in Plants.","authors":"Carlos de Tomás, Carlos M Vicient","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes8010002","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epigenomes8010002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Transposable elements (TEs) are major components of plant genomes with the ability to change their position in the genome or to create new copies of themselves in other positions in the genome. These can cause gene disruption and large-scale genomic alterations, including inversions, deletions, and duplications. Host organisms have evolved a set of mechanisms to suppress TE activity and counter the threat that they pose to genome integrity. These includes the epigenetic silencing of TEs mediated by a process of RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). In most cases, the silencing machinery is very efficient for the vast majority of TEs. However, there are specific circumstances in which TEs can evade such silencing mechanisms, for example, a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses or in vitro culture. Hybridization is also proposed as an inductor of TE proliferation. In fact, the discoverer of the transposons, Barbara McClintock, first hypothesized that interspecific hybridization provides a \"genomic shock\" that inhibits the TE control mechanisms leading to the mobilization of TEs. However, the studies carried out on this topic have yielded diverse results, showing in some cases a total absence of mobilization or being limited to only some TE families. Here, we review the current knowledge about the impact of interspecific hybridization on TEs in plants and the possible implications of changes in the epigenetic mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10801548/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139514002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2023-12-19DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010001
Maria C. Ow, Sarah E. Hall
{"title":"Inheritance of Stress Responses via Small Non-Coding RNAs in Invertebrates and Mammals","authors":"Maria C. Ow, Sarah E. Hall","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes8010001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/epigenomes8010001","url":null,"abstract":"While reports on the generational inheritance of a parental response to stress have been widely reported in animals, the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon have only recently emerged. The booming interest in epigenetic inheritance has been facilitated in part by the discovery that small non-coding RNAs are one of its principal conduits. Discovered 30 years ago in the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode, these small molecules have since cemented their critical roles in regulating virtually all aspects of eukaryotic development. Here, we provide an overview on the current understanding of epigenetic inheritance in animals, including mice and C. elegans, as it pertains to stresses such as temperature, nutritional, and pathogenic encounters. We focus on C. elegans to address the mechanistic complexity of how small RNAs target their cohort mRNAs to effect gene expression and how they govern the propagation or termination of generational perdurance in epigenetic inheritance. Presently, while a great amount has been learned regarding the heritability of gene expression states, many more questions remain unanswered and warrant further investigation.","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"111 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138959626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2023-12-12DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7040032
Bowen Yan, Qingchen Yuan, Olga A Guryanova
{"title":"Epigenetic Mechanisms in Hematologic Aging and Premalignant Conditions.","authors":"Bowen Yan, Qingchen Yuan, Olga A Guryanova","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes7040032","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epigenomes7040032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are essential for maintaining overall health by continuously generating blood cells throughout an individual's lifespan. However, as individuals age, the hematopoietic system undergoes significant functional decline, rendering them more susceptible to age-related diseases. Growing research evidence has highlighted the critical role of epigenetic regulation in this age-associated decline. This review aims to provide an overview of the diverse epigenetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of normal HSCs during the aging process and their implications in aging-related diseases. Understanding the intricate interplay of epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to aging-related changes in the hematopoietic system holds great potential for the development of innovative strategies to delay the aging process. In fact, interventions targeting epigenetic modifications have shown promising outcomes in alleviating aging-related phenotypes and extending lifespan in various animal models. Small molecule-based therapies and reprogramming strategies enabling epigenetic rejuvenation have emerged as effective approaches for ameliorating or even reversing aging-related conditions. By acquiring a deeper understanding of these epigenetic mechanisms, it is anticipated that interventions can be devised to prevent or mitigate the rates of hematologic aging and associated diseases later in life. Ultimately, these advancements have the potential to improve overall health and enhance the quality of life in aging individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"7 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10743085/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138833186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2023-12-08DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7040031
S. Tuminello, Emelie Nguyen, N. Durmus, Ramazan Alptekin, Muhammed Yilmaz, Maria Cecilia Crisanti, M. Snuderl, Yu Chen, Yongzhao Shao, Joan Reibman, Emanuela Taioli, Alan A. Arslan
{"title":"World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence","authors":"S. Tuminello, Emelie Nguyen, N. Durmus, Ramazan Alptekin, Muhammed Yilmaz, Maria Cecilia Crisanti, M. Snuderl, Yu Chen, Yongzhao Shao, Joan Reibman, Emanuela Taioli, Alan A. Arslan","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes7040031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/epigenomes7040031","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Known carcinogens in the dust and fumes from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on 9 November 2001 included metals, asbestos, and organic pollutants, which have been shown to modify epigenetic status. Epigenome-wide association analyses (EWAS) using uniform (Illumina) methodology have identified novel epigenetic profiles of WTC exposure. Methods: We reviewed all published data, comparing differentially methylated gene profiles identified in the prior EWAS studies of WTC exposure. This included DNA methylation changes in blood-derived DNA from cases of cancer-free “Survivors” and those with breast cancer, as well as tissue-derived DNA from “Responders” with prostate cancer. Emerging molecular pathways related to the observed DNA methylation changes in WTC-exposed groups were explored and summarized. Results: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with DNA methylation changes across the genome. Notably, WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with increased global DNA methylation; direct dysregulation of cancer genes and pathways, including inflammation and immune system dysregulation; and endocrine system disruption, as well as disruption of cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with biologically meaningful DNA methylation changes, with implications for carcinogenesis and development of other chronic diseases.","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"4 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138586231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2023-11-30DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7040030
Dustin J Van Hofwegen, Carolyn J Hovde, Scott A Minnich
{"title":"Comparison of <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i> DNA Methylation at Ambient and Host Temperatures.","authors":"Dustin J Van Hofwegen, Carolyn J Hovde, Scott A Minnich","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes7040030","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epigenomes7040030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pathogenic bacteria recognize environmental cues to vary gene expression for host adaptation. Moving from ambient to host temperature, <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i> responds by immediately repressing flagella synthesis and inducing the virulence plasmid (pYV)-encoded type III secretion system. In contrast, shifting from host to ambient temperature requires 2.5 generations to restore motility, suggesting a link to the cell cycle. We hypothesized that differential DNA methylation contributes to temperature-regulated gene expression. We tested this hypothesis by comparing single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing of <i>Y. enterocolitica</i> DNA from cells growing exponentially at 22 °C and 37 °C. The inter-pulse duration ratio rather than the traditional QV scoring was the kinetic metric to compare DNA from cells grown at each temperature. All 565 <i>Yen</i>I restriction sites were fully methylated at both temperatures. Among the 27,118 DNA adenine methylase (Dam) sites, 42 had differential methylation patterns, while 17 remained unmethylated regardless of the temperature. A subset of the differentially methylated Dam sites localized to promoter regions of predicted regulatory genes including LysR-type and PadR-like transcriptional regulators and a cyclic-di-GMP phosphodiesterase. The unmethylated Dam sites localized with a bias to the replication terminus, suggesting they were protected from Dam methylase. No cytosine methylation was detected at Dcm sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"7 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10742451/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138833185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EpigenomesPub Date : 2023-11-23DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7040029
Samantha B Peeters, Bronwyn J Posynick, Carolyn J Brown
{"title":"Out of the Silence: Insights into How Genes Escape X-Chromosome Inactivation.","authors":"Samantha B Peeters, Bronwyn J Posynick, Carolyn J Brown","doi":"10.3390/epigenomes7040029","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epigenomes7040029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The silencing of all but one X chromosome in mammalian cells is a remarkable epigenetic process leading to near dosage equivalence in X-linked gene products between the sexes. However, equally remarkable is the ability of a subset of genes to continue to be expressed from the otherwise inactive X chromosome-in some cases constitutively, while other genes are variable between individuals, tissues or cells. In this review we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the approaches that have been used to identify escapees. The identity of escapees provides important clues to mechanisms underlying escape from XCI, an arena of study now moving from correlation to functional studies. As most escapees show greater expression in females, the not-so-inactive X chromosome is a substantial contributor to sex differences in humans, and we highlight some examples of such impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":55768,"journal":{"name":"Epigenomes","volume":"7 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10742877/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138833187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}