title: CpNpG methylation in mammalian cells.
abstract: In vertebrate DNA, 3% to 5% of cytosine residues are present as 5-methylcytosine, and it is generally accepted that essentially all of this methylation occurs at cytosines which are contained in the symmetrical dinucleotide CpG. In this report we demonstrate, using bisulphite genomic sequencing, that the methylation machinery of mammalian cells is capable of both maintenance and de novo methylation at CpNpG sites. The existence of inherited CpNpG methylation in mammalian cells has important implications in gene regulation and in the aetiology of disease.
authors.affiliation: Kanematsu Laboratories, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frommer
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009153:Mutagens / Q000737:chemistry; D010957:Plasmids; D017421:Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods; D013447:Sulfites / Q000737:chemistry; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D013447:Sulfites; C005200:sodium metabisulfite; D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D003596:Cytosine; D004247:DNA; D008780:Methyltransferases; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes