Guglielmi, E. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2026

Sex-specific lymphoid lineage differentiation is modulated by CIZ1

The epigenetic stability factor CIZ1 helps maintain X-chromosome inactivation, and its absence results in murine female-specific splenomegaly. By exploring the aetiology of this pathology, we reveal unexpected evidence for dosage compensation via modification of X-linked gene expression in males. Genes known to escape repression on the inactive X-chromosome in females, including the B-cell maturation factor DDX3X, require CIZ1 in males to maintain parity between the sexes. Furthermore, absence of this single regulator triggers stark sex-specific changes to large autosomal domains in B cells, causing naive female B cells to shift prematurely towards germinal centre transcriptional signatures, including immunoglobulin and pro-proliferation genes even without immune challenge. Conversely, males acquire natural killer-like gene expression through elevation of Killer cell Lectin-like Receptors. Together, the data indicate that CIZ1 limits sexually dimorphic gene expression on autosomes, and promotes dosage compensation by modulation of the male X-chromosome, introducing a new paradigm for sex biased disorders of the immune system.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

AURKB-driven dissolution of CIZ1-RNA assemblies from the inactive X chromosome in mitosis

Cip1-interacting zinc-finger protein 1 (CIZ1) interacts with Xist lncRNA to form large RNA-protein assemblies at the inactive X-chromosome (Xi) in female mammalian nuclei, plus smaller assemblies in both sexes. CIZ1 assemblies influence underlying chromatin, and their disruption alters the expression of autosomal and X-linked gene clusters. Here, we explore the regulated dissolution of CIZ1-Xi assemblies during mitosis and show that, like Xist, CIZ1 is released in prometaphase under the regulation of Aurora Kinase B (AURKB). The part of human/mouse CIZ1 comprising 179/181 C-terminal amino-acids encodes a matrin-3 domain that facilitates dimerization to form a compact folded core with disordered C-terminal extensions. Mass spectrometry revealed 56 high-confidence interacting partners of the C-terminal fragment, predominantly chromatin, nuclear matrix and RNA-binding proteins. Phosphomimetic mutation of three conserved AURKB sites in the C-terminal extensions released CIZ1 from its nuclear anchor points, but did not affect its interaction with chromatin or nuclear matrix proteins. In contrast, the same mutations, or deletion of the C-terminal extensions, abolished interaction with RNAs including Xist. Together, the data suggest CIZ1 is a regulatable component of the protein-RNA assemblies that preserve epigenetic stability across the nucleus, and that AURKB drives their dissolution in mitosis via dissociation of CIZ1 from RNA. BulletsThe data show regulated dissolution of RNA-protein assemblies involved in protection of epigenetic state. RNA spatially constrains CIZ1 assemblies via multivalent interactions at sub-nuclear sites. CIZ1 dimerizes to present dual extensions whose phosphorylation by AURKB dissolves RNA interaction in mitosis. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=181 SRC="FIGDIR/small/676856v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (56K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@107bec2org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@17cbb4aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ec0144org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1474995_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

cell biology↗