DNA N(6)-methyladenine: a new epigenetic mark in eukaryotes?
DNA N(6)-adenine methylation (N(6)-methyladenine; 6mA) in prokaryotes functions primarily in the host defence system. The prevalence and significance of this modification in eukaryotes had been unclear until recently. Here, we discuss recent publications documenting the presence of 6mA in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans; consider possible roles for this DNA modification in regulating transcription, the activity of transposable elements and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance; and propose 6mA as a new epigenetic mark in eukaryotes.
Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Guan-Zheng
GZ
Luo
Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, and the Division of Newborn Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Mario Andres
MA
Blanco
Division of Newborn Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, and the Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Eric Lieberman
EL
Greer
Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Chuan
C
He
Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, and the Division of Newborn Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Yang
Y
Shi
D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics*; D016825:Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005819:Genetic Markers; D010802:Phylogeny; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D000225:Adenine; D004247:DNA; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific); C000730567:6-methyladenine