Difference in chromatin packaging between active and inactive X chromosomes by fractionation and allele-specific detection

Using a novel method consisting of chromatin fractionation and allele-specific detection, chromatin packaging is compared between active X (Xa) and inactive X (Xi) chromosomes for five tumor cell clones that were derived from inter-subspecific F-1 female mice, Separation of heterochromatic (H) and euchromatic (E) fractions is monitored by hybridization with subtelomeric satellite DNA and ribosomal RNA gene and by PCR amplification of p53 gene/pseudogene with one primer set. The H fraction was enriched with satellite and p53 pseudogene probably existing in heterochromatic regions while the E fraction showed inverse, suggesting fair separation. Analysis with seven marker and three gene loci revealed concentration of alleles on Xi in the H fraction and those on Xa in the E fraction, though the concentration levels varied, This implies that the packaging level of Xi is higher than that of active or inactive euchromatin on Xa. Intriguingly, one cell line showed biallelic expression and chromatin relaxation of the Pgk-1 locus, suggesting that the relaxation occur regionally on X chromosome. (C) 1998 Academic Press.