Local DNA demethylation in vertebrates: how could it be performed and targeted?

FEBS Letters

Grange, Thierry¹  Thomassin, Hélène¹  Kress, Clémence¹ 

[1]Institut Jacques Monod du CNRS, Universités Paris 6–7, Tour 43, 2 Place Jussieu, 75251 Paris Cedex 05, France

关键词: DNA methylation;    DNA demethylation;    DNA replication;    Chromatin;    Transcription;    Development;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0014-5793(01)02328-6

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

In vertebrates, cytosine methylation is an epigenetic DNA modification that participates in genome stability and gene repression. Methylation patterns are either maintained throughout cell division, or modified by global or local de novo methylation and demethylation. Site-specific demethylation is a rather elusive process that occurs mainly in parallel to gene activation during development. In light of our studies of the glucocorticoid-dependent DNA demethylation of the tyrosine aminotransferase gene, we discuss the potential biochemical mechanisms allowing DNA demethylation and its targeting to specific sequences by transcription factors as well as possible links to DNA replication and chromatin remodelling.

【 授权许可】

Unknown