To prevent excessive gene expression from the X chromosome i

To prevent excessive gene expression from the X chromosome in one of the sexes, X-inactivation occurs in humans and other mammals. Hypothetically, are there other mechanisms (beside X-inactivation) that can achieve the same or equivalent dosage compensation?

Solution

The strategies for dosage compensation are different in various organisms. However, X-chromosome inactivation is most common or more specifically, the most known mechanism.

To be specific, Are there any mechanisms equivalent to X-chromosome inactivation for dosage compensation? Yes.

Whatever the mechanism, the main reason for doasage compensation is to equalize the expression of X-chromosome in both males and females.

For example, In mammals, females randomly inactivate one X-chromosome to compensate with males that have a single X-chromosome.

In fruit flies, males double the transcription rate of single X chromosome (to reach the transcription rate of X chromosome in females)

Hermaphrodite worms, on the other hand reduce the expression of both the X chromosomes to half (of its original).

I hope this helps.