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The noncoding RNA Xist has been shown to direct the mammalian dosage compensation pathway. Expression of the Xist RNA is regulated through an uncharacterized post-transcriptional mechanism, thought to involve Xist RNA stability. We have previously demonstrated that Xist RNA isoforms contain different 3′ ends. In this report we analyze the expression patterns of Xist RNA isoforms and show the Xist RNA long form (L-isoform) is the predominant form in early development. Significant amounts of both the short form (S-isoform) and the L-isoform were found in the female soma. We also define the precise sequence structure of the Xist RNA isoforms 3′ ends and show the S-isoform and the L-isoform are structurally dissimilar. Our data show both the S-isoform and L-isoform are cleaved from the same primary transcript. However, the S-isoform is subsequently post-transcriptionally polyadenylated, while the L-isoform is not post-transcriptionally polyadenylated. Sequence organization of the L-isoform shows that there are at least five different nonadenylated L-isoforms in the female soma and only one in embryonic stem (ES) cells. This stem cell–and somatic cell–specific processing may suggest a role for Xist RNA processing in the regulation of Xist RNA expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have extended our earlier work to show that individual 14–20mer peptide nucleic acid probes directed against interspersed α-satellite sequences can specifically identify chromosomes. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes were used to detect chromosomal abnormalities and repeat structure in the human genome by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The hybridization of a single PNA probe species directed against a highly abundant α-satellite DNA repeat sequence was sufficient to absolutely identify a chromosome. Selection of highly repetitive or region-specific DNA repeats involved DNA database analysis. Distribution of a specific repeat sequence in human genome was estimated through two means: a computer program ``whole genome'' approach based on ∼400 Mb (12%) human genomic sequence. The other method involved directed search for alpha satellite sequences. In total, ∼240 unique DNA repeat candidates were found. Forty-two PNA probes were designed for screening chromosome-specific probes. Ten chromosome-specific PNA probes for human Chromosomes (Chrs) 1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 17, 18, X, and Y have been identified. Interphase and metaphase results demonstrate that chromosome-specific PNA probes are capable of detecting simple aneuploidies (trisomies) in human. Another set of PNA probes showed distinct banding-like patterns and could be used as sequence-specific stains for chromosome ``bar coding''. Potential application of PNA probes for investigating repeat structure and function is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]