CTCF-mediated insulation and chromatin environment modulate Car5b escape from X inactivation II

Although the chromatin regulator CTCF is enriched at genes escaping from X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We examined CTCF and epigenetic features at escape genes on the inactive X (Xi) in mouse F1 hybrid cells and tissues. We found that escape genes are located inside topologically insulated domains limited by convergent arrays of CTCF binding sites, suggesting loop formation. Xi-specific deletion of a CTCF right boundary of the escape gene Car5b caused loss of CTCF binding and changes of histone modifications at Car5b and abolished escape, suggesting loss of insulation. This is consistent with Car5b lack of escape in mouse brain showing no CTCF binding at the boundary. Inversion of this boundary had no effect on Car5b escape, suggesting that tandem coiled looping could still function as insulation. To test whether chromatin features of the Xi could affect escape we examined mutants in which the Xi-specific compact structure is disrupted or there is loss of H3K27me3 enrichment. We found that both conditions cause an Xi-specific increase in active marks and gene expression at escape regions, suggesting that the 3D structure and heterochromatic marks of the Xi play a role in modulating escape levels of genes insulated by CTCF.