title: De novo methylation in male germ cells of the common marmoset monkey occurs during postnatal development and is maintained in vitro.
abstract: The timing of de novo DNA methylation in male germ cells during human testicular development is yet unsolved. Apart from that, the stability of established imprinting patterns in vitro is controversially discussed. This study aimed at determining the timing of DNA de novo methylation and at assessing the stability of the methylation status in vitro. We employed the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) as it is considered the best non-human primate model for human testicular development. We selected neonatal, pre-pubertal, pubertal, and adult animals (n = 3, each) and assessed germ cell global DNA methylation levels by 5-methyl cytosine staining, and Alu elements and gene-specific methylation (H19, LIT1, SNRPN, MEST, OCT4, MAGE-A4, and DDX-4) by pyrosequencing. De novo methylation is progressively established during postnatal primate development and continues until adulthood, a process that is different in most other species. Importantly, once established, methylation patterns remained stable, as demonstrated using in vitro cultures. Thus, the marmoset monkey is a unique model for the study of postnatal DNA methylation mechanisms in germ cells and for the identification of epimutations and their causes.
authors: a Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Münster , Germany.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Langenstroth-Röwer
authors: a Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Münster , Germany.
authors: Jörg
authors: J
authors: Gromoll
authors: a Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Münster , Germany.
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Wistuba
authors: a Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Münster , Germany.
authors: Ina
authors: I
authors: Tröndle
authors: a Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Münster , Germany.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Laurentino
authors: a Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Münster , Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Schlatt
authors: a Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Münster , Germany.
authors: Nina
authors: 0000-0003-0181-6194
authors: N
authors: Neuhaus
mesh_terms: D020087:Alu Elements; D000818:Animals; D002144:Callithrix; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D056426:Genetic Loci; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
keywords: de novo methylation; germ cell development; primate-specific DNA methylation patterns; spermatogonia