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Science 8 December 1995:
Vol. 270. no. 5242, pp. 1607 - 1610
DOI: 10.1126/science.270.5242.1607
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Special

Equality for X Chromosomes

Richard L. Kelley and Mitzi I. Kuroda

In many species, females possess two X chromosomes and males have one X chromosome. This difference is critical for the initial determination of sex. However, the X encodes many functions required equally in males and females; thus, X chromosome expression must be adjusted to compensate for the difference in dosage between the sexes. Distinct dosage compensation mechanisms have evolved in different species. A common theme in the Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans systems is that a subtle alteration of chromatin structure may impose this modest, but vital adjustment of the X chromosome transcription level.


The authors are at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.


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