title: Epigenetic status of human embryonic stem cells.
abstract: We examined the allele-specific expression of six imprinted genes and the methylation profiles of three imprinting control regions to assess the epigenetic status of human embryonic stem cells. We identified generally monoallelic gene expression and normal methylation patterns. During prolonged passage, one cell line became biallelic with respect to H19, but without loss of the gametic methylation imprint. These data argue for a substantial degree of epigenetic stability in human embryonic stem cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2XY, UK. pjr36@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rugg-Gunn
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ferguson-Smith
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015870:Gene Expression; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells
chemical_list: C094335:H19 long non-coding RNA; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated