DNA of Drosophila melanogaster contains 5-methylcytosine.
It is commonly accepted that the DNA of Drosophila melanogaster does not contain 5-methylcytosine, which is essential in the development of most eukaryotes. We have developed a new, highly specific and sensitive assay to detect the presence of 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA. The DNA is degraded to nucleosides, 5-methylcytosine purified by HPLC and, for detection by 1D- and 2D-TLC, radiolabeled using deoxynucleoside kinase and [gamma-(32)P]ATP. Using this assay, we show here that 5-methylcytosine occurs in the DNA of D. melanogaster at a level of approximately 1 in 1000-2000 cytosine residues in adult flies. DNA methylation is detectable in all stages of D.melanogaster development.
Gowher
H
H
Institut für Biochemie, Fachbereich 8, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, 35392 Giessen and Lehrstuhl für Genetik, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
Leismann
O
O
Jeltsch
A
A
D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D017856:Phosphotransferases (Phosphate Group Acceptor) / Q000378:metabolism
D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D003596:Cytosine; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA; D017856:Phosphotransferases (Phosphate Group Acceptor); C020015:(deoxy)nucleoside-phosphate kinase