California Institute of Technology

Chun-Kan Chen

Mitchell Guttman

Colleen A McHugh

Methods of prohibiting Xist-dependent silencing of X chromosome genes include targeting the required Xist silencing complex components including SHARP, SMRT, HDAC3, SAF-A, LBR, and the respective binding sites of SHARP, LBR, and SAF-A on Xist, thereby prohibiting Xist repression, allowing for reactivation of the silenced X chromosome genes.

Reactivation of x chromosome genes

A reactivation composition for activating or re-activating expression of a silenced X chromosome gene in a cell includes a non-cytotoxic histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. The reactivation composition includes the non-cytotoxic HDAC inhibitor and may further include a DNA methylation inhibitor. A method of activating or re-activating expression of a silenced X chromosome gene in a cell includes administering a reactivation composition including a non-cytotoxic HDAC inhibitor. The method of activating or re-activating expression of a silenced X chromosome gene may further includes administering a reactivation composition that includes a non-cytotoxic HDAC inhibitor and an inhibitor of DNA methylation.

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Alhambra, CA, United States of America

Chun-Kan Chen