title: Genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation and gene expression in Crassostrea gigas male gametes.
abstract: DNA methylation patterns and functions are variable across invertebrate taxa. In order to provide a better understanding of DNA methylation in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), we characterized the genome-wide DNA methylation profile in male gamete cells using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. RNA-Seq analysis was performed to examine the relationship between DNA methylation and transcript expression. Methylation status of over 7.6 million CpG dinucleotides was described with a majority of methylated regions occurring among intragenic regions. Overall, 15% of the CpG dinucleotides were determined to be methylated and the mitochondrial genome lacked DNA methylation. Integrative analysis of DNA methylation and RNA-Seq data revealed a positive association between methylation status, both in gene bodies and putative promoter regions, and expression. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the distribution of DNA methylation in the oyster male gamete tissue and suggests that DNA methylation is involved in gene regulatory activity.
authors.affiliation: School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Claire E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.affiliation: School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Roberts
keywords: DNA methylation; bivalves; epigenetics; gene expression; oyster