Disease relevance of roX1

• We mapped the recruitment activity to a 217 bp roX1 fragment that shows male-specific DNase hypersensitivity and can be preferentially cross-linked in vivo to the MSL complex [1].

High impact information on roX1

• We have identified two genes, roX1 and roX2, whose expression in the adult fly is restricted to neurons of males [2].
• roX1 RNA paints the X chromosome of male Drosophila and is regulated by the dosage compensation system [3].
• Although all sexually dimorphic characteristics in Drosophila were thought to be controlled by the sex determination pathway through the gene transformer (tra), the expression of roX1 is independent of tra activity [3].
• The Drosophila roX1 gene is X-linked and produces RNAs that are male-specific, somatic, and preferentially expressed in the central nervous system [3].
• We found association and spreading of the MSL complex from roX1 transgenes in the absence of detectable roX1 RNA synthesis from the transgene [1].

Biological context of roX1

• Expression of the X chromosome is decreased by 26% in roX1(-) roX2(-) male larvae [4].
• Microarray analysis was performed to reveal the effect of roX1 and roX2 elimination on X-linked and autosomal gene expression [4].
• It binds selectively to the male X chromosome and directs acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4Ac16), a modification linked to elevated transcription. roX1 and roX2 noncoding RNAs are essential but redundant components of this complex [4].
• roX RNAs Are Required for Increased Expression of X-Linked Genes in Drosophila melanogaster Males [4].

Other interactions of roX1

• Maternally provided MLE (Maleless) is required for roX1 stability [5].

References