What Does XIST Stand For?

XIST stands for Candidate Gene For X Inactivation Center

XIST, or Candidate Gene For X Inactivation Center, is a crucial gene located on the X chromosome that plays a significant role in the process of X chromosome inactivation. This gene produces a long non-coding RNA that coats one of the two X chromosomes in female mammals, leading to its transcriptional silencing. XIST is essential for dosage compensation, ensuring that males and females have equivalent levels of gene expression from the X chromosome, and it is involved in various biological processes including gene regulation and cellular differentiation.