In vivo visualization of the i-motif DNA secondary structure in the Bombyx mori testis

Epigenetics & Chromatin

Jian Wang¹  Qisheng Song²  Wenhuan Tang³  Ying Jin³  Kangkang Niu³  Sheng Li³  Xian Zhang³  Shuna Chen³  Qili Feng³  Huimin Deng³  Guoxing Yu³  Yuling Peng³ 

[1] Department of Entomology, University of Maryland;Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri;Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University;

关键词: DNA secondary structure;    i-motif;    Chromosome;    In vivo detection;    Epigenetic regulation;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13072-020-00334-y

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background A large number of in vitro experiments have confirmed that DNA molecules can form i-motif advanced structure when multiple cytosines exist in the sequence. However, whether these structures are present in vivo environment still lacks sufficient experimental evidence. Results In this paper, we report the in vivo visualization of i-motif structures in the nuclei and chromosomes of the testis of the invertebrate Bombyx mori using immunofluorescence staining with an antibody specifically recognizing the endogenous transcription factor BmILF, which binds i-motif structure with high specificity. The number of i-motif structures observed in the genome increased when the pH was changed from basic to acidic and decreased under treatment with an i-motif inhibitor, the porphyrin compound TMPyP4. The pH change affected the transcription of genes that contain i-motif sequences. Moreover, there were more i-motif structures observed in the testis cells in interphase than in any other cell cycle stage. Conclusions In this study, the i-motif structures in invertebrates were detected for the first time at the cell and organ levels. The formation of the structures depended on cell cycle and pH and affected gene expression.

【 授权许可】

Unknown