title: Increased expression of prion protein gene is accompanied by demethylation of CpG sites in a mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line, P19C6.
abstract: Elucidation of the processes regulating the prion protein gene (Prnp) is an important key to understanding the development of prion disorders. In this study, we explored the involvement of DNA methylation in Prnp transcriptional regulation during neuronal differentiation of embryonic carcinoma P19C6 cells. When P19C6 cells were differentiated into neuronal cells, the expression of Prnp was markedly increased, while CpG methylation was significantly demethylated at the nucleotide region between -599 and -238 from the transcription start site. In addition, when P19C6 cells were applied in a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, RG108, Prnp transcripts were also significantly increased in relation to the decreased methylation statuses. These findings helped to elucidate the DNA methylation-mediated regulation of Prnp expression during neuronal differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Wuyun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dalai
authors.forename: Eiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.forename: Natsumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takeyama
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saeki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000072002:Prion Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011328:Prions / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000072002:Prion Proteins; D011328:Prions