X chromosome inactivation (XCI), the silencing of one of the two X chromosomes 
in XX female cells, equalises the dosage of X-linked genes relative to XY males. 
The process is mediated by the non-coding RNA X inactive specific transcript 
(Xist) that binds in cis and propagates along the inactive X chromosome elect, 
triggering chromosome-wide silencing. The mechanisms by which Xist RNA binds and 
spreads along the chromosome, and initiates Xist-mediated chromosome silencing 
remain poorly understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that chromosome and 
nuclear organisation are important in both processes. Notably, recent studies 
have identified specific factors, previously shown to be components of the 
nuclear matrix or scaffold, to play a role both in Xist RNA-binding and in 
Xist-mediated silencing. In this review we provide a perspective on these 
studies in the context of previous work on chromosome/nuclear architecture in 
XCI.