DNA methylation imprints on the IG-DMR of the Dlk1-Gtl2 domain in mouse male germline.
Mouse genomes show a large cluster of imprinted genes at the Dlk1-Gtl2 domain in the distal region of chromosome 12. An intergenic-differentially methylated region (IG-DMR) located between Dlk1 and Gtl2 is specifically methylated in the male germline; IG-DMR regulates the parental allele-specific expression of imprinted genes. Here, we show the resetting of IG-DMR methylation marks during male germ-cell differentiation. For parental allele-specific methylation analysis, polymorphisms were detected in a 2.6-kb IG-DMR in three mouse strains. Bisulfite methylation analysis showed erasure of the marks by E14 and re-establishment before birth. The IG-DMR methylation status was maintained in spermatogonia and spermatocytes of mature testes. The IG-DMR methylation status established before birth is thus maintained throughout the lifetime in the male germline.
Hiura
Hitoshi
H
Department of BioScience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1, Sakuragaoka, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan.
Komiyama
Junichi
J
Shirai
Motomu
M
Obata
Yayoi
Y
Ogawa
Hidehiko
H
Kono
Tomohiro
T
D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D021901:DNA, Intergenic; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D021901:DNA, Intergenic; C512925:Dlk1 protein, mouse; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C422882:MEG3 non-coding RNA, mouse; D011506:Proteins; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding