Escape from X inactivation is directly modulated by Xist non-coding RNA [cell line RNA-seq]

X-chromosome inactivation silences one copy of the X-chromosome in female cells, but a number of genes escapes this inactivation. We asked whether increased levels of Xist RNA, the molecular actor driving X-inactivation, impacts expression levels of escapees. To this end, we performed transcriptomic profiling of X-linked gene expression in clonal neural progenitor cell lines with transgenes that allow for the overexpression of Xist on the inactive X chromosome. We perform Xist overexpression experiments for up to three weeks and also test the reversibility of Xist overexpression using washout experiments. Finally, we demonstrate the role of SPEN in Xist-mediated silencing of escape using an inducible degron.