title: Human DNA sequences exhibiting gamete-specific hypomethylation.
abstract: Three human DNA sequences have been cloned from DNA regions which are strikingly undermethylated in sperm, highly methylated in adult somatic tissues, and methylated to an intermediate extent in tissues of extraembryonic origin. It is proposed that some such DNA sequences may function specifically early in embryogenesis or during gametogenesis. They may be subsequently extensively methylated in the embryonic cell lineage and methylated to a lesser extent in extraembryonic tissues in order to allow embryogenesis to proceed.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005718:Gametogenesis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D010920:Placenta / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA