Methylation of the chicken vitellogenin gene: influence of estradiol administration.
The degree of methylation of the chicken vitellogenin gene has been investigated. Upon induction by administration of estradiol to a rooster, methyl groups at specific sites near the 5'-end of the gene are eliminated. The process of demethylation is slower than the activation of the gene. Demethylation is therefore probably not a prerequisite to gene transcription. At least two other sites in the coding region of the gene are methylated in the liver of estrogenized roosters, but not in the liver of a laying hen, where the gene is naturally active.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000235:genetics*
D008074:Lipoproteins; D014819:Vitellogenins; D004958:Estradiol; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes