XIST modulates mammary stem cell homeostasis and tumor fate [RNA-seq]

Disruption of XIST expression in mammary epithelial cells leads to chromatin changes on the inactive X chromosome, transcriptional reactivation of X-linked genes, and defective luminal differentiation. Cells from both luminal (ML) and mammary stem cell (MaSC) compartments were isolated from wild-type (WT) and XIST-KO HMLE (Human Mammary Epithelial cells) by FACS sorting based on their positivity for the cell surface antigen ESA (Epithelial Specific Antigen) (ML: ESA+; MaSC: ESA-). Two replicates were generated per compartment and genotype. Total RNA was isolated and sequenced to perform gene expression and allele-specific analyses. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) from WT and XIST-KO HMLER were isolated by FACS according to their positivity for CD44 and CD24. Total RNA was isolated and sequenced to perform allele-specific gene expression analyses.