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Promoter Capture Hi-C: High-resolution, Genome-wide Profiling of Promoter Interactions
Published on: June 28, 2018
An upstream repressor element plays a role in Igf2 imprinting.
S Eden1, M Constancia, T Hashimshony
1Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Hebrew University, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
The EMBO Journal
|July 4, 2001
Summary
The Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (Igf2) gene
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Epigenetics
- Gene Regulation
- Genomic Imprinting
Background:
- The Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (Igf2) gene is subject to genomic imprinting.
- Differential DNA methylation on the active paternal allele regulates Igf2 expression.
- Understanding the mechanisms controlling imprinted gene expression is crucial for developmental biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify regulatory elements controlling Igf2 imprinting.
- To elucidate the role of DNA methylation in Igf2 gene repression.
- To investigate the trans-acting factors involved in Igf2 regulation.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis to identify potential regulatory regions.
- Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) to detect protein binding.
- DNA methylation analysis.
- In vivo targeting experiments to assess repressor function.
Main Results:
- A novel repressor element was identified upstream of the imprinted Igf2 gene.
- The repressor activity is mediated by a trans-acting factor, GCF2.
- DNA methylation at this site prevents GCF2 binding and repressor activity.
- This element is essential for the in vivo repression of the maternal Igf2 allele.
Conclusions:
- A methylation-sensitive repressor element controls Igf2 imprinting.
- GCF2 is a key trans-acting factor in Igf2 gene regulation.
- Epigenetic modifications play a critical role in establishing and maintaining allele-specific gene expression patterns.
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