DNA methylation in early development.
Development from separate parental germ cells through fertilization and proceeding to a fully functioning adult animal occurs through an intricate program of transcriptional and chromatin changes. Epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation are an important part of this process. This review looks at the role of DNA methylation in early embryonic development, as well as how this epigenetic mark affects stem cell differentiation and tissue-specific gene expression in somatic cells.
Geiman
Theresa M
TM
Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, SAIC-Frederick, MD 21702, USA. geimant@ncifcrf.gov
Muegge
Kathrin
K
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / Q000502:physiology; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology