Title: The role of a mouse Polycomb group gene in random and imprinted X inactivation

(Research Advisor: Dr. Terry Magnuson, Biology Sponsor: Dr. Walter Bollenbacher, Mentor: Dr. Sundeep Kalantry)

Kyle Mills

The proper growth and development of an embryo requires elegantly integrated genetic activity to regulate cell division and differentiation.  One such gene that helps maintain this balance in Mus musculus is the Embryonic ectoderm development gene (Eed).  Eed is a member of a group of genes that modify genetic material to heritably establish genetic repression.  Specifically, Eed has been implicated in maintaining the inactivation of the paternally inherited X chromosome in extraembryonic tissues in female embryos.  In the case of an embryo that is homozygous-null for Eed, defects in growth and anterior-posterior patterning result in lethality by mid-gastrulation.  This research serves to better catalogue the tissues of the developing female mouse embryo in which Eed acts in the pathway to dosage compensation of X-linked genes.  Then, Eed’s role in both random and imprinted X-inactivation can be better defined.