High impact information on roX2

• The male X chromosome is also coated with noncoding roX RNAs [1].
• We have identified two genes, roX1 and roX2, whose expression in the adult fly is restricted to neurons of males [2].
• MOF specifically binds through its chromodomain to roX2 RNA in vivo [3].
• Large RNAs have been shown to control gene expression from a single locus (Tsix RNA), from chromosomal regions (Air RNA), and from entire chromosomes (roX and Xist RNAs) [4].
• We find that the acetylation status of MSL-3 determines its interaction with roX2 RNA [5].

Biological context of roX2

• Expression of the X chromosome is decreased by 26% in roX1(-) roX2(-) male larvae [6].
• Microarray analysis was performed to reveal the effect of roX1 and roX2 elimination on X-linked and autosomal gene expression [6].
• 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 [6].
• roX RNAs Are Required for Increased Expression of X-Linked Genes in Drosophila melanogaster Males [6].
• However, full compensation, that is a precise doubling of lacZ expression in males relative to females, was only observed in some lines carrying autosomal insertions of either roX1-arm-lacZ or roX2-arm-lacZ transgenes [7].

Other interactions of roX2

• MLE functions as a transcriptional regulator of the roX2 gene [8].

References