Tuning the X
Thu Jan 22 2026
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is an important mechanism in development and disease. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most prevalent epigenetic modifications for RNA and has been shown to play critical roles in processes such as embryo development, cancer, and stress responses. Our guests today investigate how m6A regulates X chromosome dosage compensation to ensure proper balance of gene expression from X chromosomes between sexes. X-chromosome dosage compensation is accomplished through two complementary mechanisms. First, X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) silences one of the two X chromosomes in female cells. Second, the remaining active X chromosome is transcriptionally upregulated so that its gene expression levels are balanced with those of the autosomes, a process known as X-to-autosome (X-to-A) compensation. The authors dissect the distinct contributions of m6A RNA methylation to XCI versus X-to-A compensation across multiple embryonic lineages, providing deeper insights into the epigenetic regulation of early development.
Guests
Srimonta Gayen, PhD, Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, India
Host
Janet Rossant, Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports and The Gairdner Foundation
Supporting Content
Paper link: "The role of m6A RNA methylation in the maintenance of X chromosome inactivation and X-to-autosome dosage compensation in early embryonic lineages," Stem Cell Reports
About Stem Cell Reports
Stem Cell Reports is the open access, peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. Stem Cell Reports focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. X: @StemCellReports
About ISSCR
Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine.
ISSCR Staff
Keith Alm, Chief Executive Officer
Shuangshuang Du, Scientific Programs Manager
Yvonne Fisher, Managing Editor, Stem Cell Reports
Kym Kilbourne, Director of Media and Strategic Communications
Megan Koch, Senior Marketing Manager
Jack Mosher, Scientific Director
Hunter Reed, Senior Marketing Coordinator
More
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is an important mechanism in development and disease. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most prevalent epigenetic modifications for RNA and has been shown to play critical roles in processes such as embryo development, cancer, and stress responses. Our guests today investigate how m6A regulates X chromosome dosage compensation to ensure proper balance of gene expression from X chromosomes between sexes. X-chromosome dosage compensation is accomplished through two complementary mechanisms. First, X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) silences one of the two X chromosomes in female cells. Second, the remaining active X chromosome is transcriptionally upregulated so that its gene expression levels are balanced with those of the autosomes, a process known as X-to-autosome (X-to-A) compensation. The authors dissect the distinct contributions of m6A RNA methylation to XCI versus X-to-A compensation across multiple embryonic lineages, providing deeper insights into the epigenetic regulation of early development. Guests Srimonta Gayen, PhD, Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, India Host Janet Rossant, Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports and The Gairdner Foundation Supporting Content Paper link: "The role of m6A RNA methylation in the maintenance of X chromosome inactivation and X-to-autosome dosage compensation in early embryonic lineages," Stem Cell Reports About Stem Cell Reports Stem Cell Reports is the open access, peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. Stem Cell Reports focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. X: @StemCellReports About ISSCR Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine. ISSCR Staff Keith Alm, Chief Executive Officer Shuangshuang Du, Scientific Programs Manager Yvonne Fisher, Managing Editor, Stem Cell Reports Kym Kilbourne, Director of Media and Strategic Communications Megan Koch, Senior Marketing Manager Jack Mosher, Scientific Director Hunter Reed, Senior Marketing Coordinator