N6-methyl-adenine: an epigenetic signal for DNA-protein interactions.
N(6)-methyl-adenine is found in the genomes of bacteria, archaea, protists and fungi. Most bacterial DNA adenine methyltransferases are part of restriction-modification systems. Certain groups of Proteobacteria also harbour solitary DNA adenine methyltransferases that provide signals for DNA-protein interactions. In gamma-proteobacteria, Dam methylation regulates chromosome replication, nucleoid segregation, DNA repair, transposition of insertion elements and transcription of specific genes. In Salmonella, Haemophilus, Yersinia and Vibrio species and in pathogenic Escherichia coli, Dam methylation is required for virulence. In alpha-proteobacteria, CcrM methylation regulates the cell cycle in Caulobacter, Rhizobium and Agrobacterium, and has a role in Brucella abortus infection.
Wion
Didier
D
INSERM U318, CHU Michallon, Université Joseph Fourier, 38043 Grenoble, France. didier.wion@ujf-grenoble.fr
Casadesús
Josep
J
D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004260:DNA Repair; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D020560:Proteobacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000225:Adenine; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific); C098075:DNA modification methylase CcrM; C000730567:6-methyladenine