A novel role for Xist RNA in the formation of a repressive nuclear compartment into which genes are recruited when silenced

Examination of the three-dimensional organization of X-linked genes reveals that when transcribed, they are always located at the periphery of, or outside, the Xist RNA domain, in contact with the transcription machinery. Upon silencing, gene shifts to a more internal location, within the Xist RNA compartment devoid of transcription factors and the appearance of this compartment is not dependent on the A-repeats of the Xist transcript, which are essential for gene silencing.