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Epigenomic profiling indicates a role for DNA methylation in early postnatal liver development
Robert A Waterland1, Richard Kellermayer, Marie-Therese Rached
1Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, USDA Children's Nutrition Research Center, 1100 Bates St., Ste. 5080, Houston, TX 77030, USA. waterland@bcm.edu
Human Molecular Genetics
|May 22, 2009
Summary
DNA methylation plays a role in mammalian differentiation, influencing gene expression patterns during postnatal liver development. These findings suggest epigenetic changes extend beyond early embryonic stages.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Developmental Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- The role of DNA methylation in stabilizing gene expression in differentiated mammalian tissues is debated.
- Understanding epigenetic regulation during postnatal development is crucial for comprehending tissue maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal correlation between DNA methylation changes and gene expression during postnatal liver development.
- To determine if DNA methylation contributes to the stabilization of gene expression patterns in differentiated tissues.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide methylation profiling of 3757 gene promoters.
- Analysis of methylation and expression changes from embryonic day 17.5 to postnatal day 21 in mouse liver.
- Correlation analysis between promoter methylation status and gene expression levels.
Main Results:
- Identified 31 genes gaining methylation and 111 genes losing methylation during postnatal liver development.
- Observed that methylation changes predominantly occurred at promoters not associated with CpG islands.
- Found that developmental methylation changes were associated with corresponding gene expression changes in most genes studied.
Conclusions:
- DNA methylation is implicated in mammalian differentiation, with dynamic changes occurring post-embryogenesis.
- Transcriptional activity appears to influence DNA methylation, potentially leading to hypomethylation.
- Epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, plays a significant role throughout postnatal development, not just in early embryonic stages.
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