Developmental changes in methylation of spermatogenesis-specific genes include reprogramming in the epididymis.
We have determined the status of DNA methylation at specific sites in three spermatogenesis-specific genes, Pgk-2, ApoA1 and Oct-3/4, throughout the development and differentiation of male germ cells in the mouse. We observed a specific demethylation event in the Pgk-2 gene in prospermatogonia at about the time of birth, about 10 days before the onset of transcription which first occurs in primary spermatocytes. All three genes were unmethylated in adult spermatogenic cells in the testis, but were remethylated in mature spermatozoa in the vas deferens. Surprisingly, we found that this remethylation is part of the process of sperm maturation which occurs in the epididymis.
Ariel
M
M
Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Hebrew University, Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Cedar
H
H
McCarrey
J
J
D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D000818:Animals; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004822:Epididymis / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005819:Genetic Markers; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; D010735:Phosphoglycerate Kinase / Q000235:genetics; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000235:genetics; D013079:Sperm Maturation / Q000235:genetics; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C494174:Pou5f1 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D003596:Cytosine; D010735:Phosphoglycerate Kinase