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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
05:07
Detection of Global DNA Methylation in the Hearts of Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: April 10, 2026
26
DNA methylation is developmentally regulated for genes essential for cardiogenesis
Alyssa A Chamberlain1, Mingyan Lin1, Rolanda L Lister2
1Division of Hematology, Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY (A.A.C., M.L., A.A.M., Y.W., M.S., B.W., J.M.G., D.Z.).
Journal of the American Heart Association
|June 21, 2014
Summary
DNA methylation is crucial for heart development, with specific sites regulating key genes. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns may lead to congenital heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Developmental Biology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- DNA methylation is a key epigenetic regulator of gene expression in development and disease.
- Its specific role in embryonic heart development requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate DNA methylation patterns in mouse embryonic hearts.
- To understand the role of DNA methylation in regulating gene expression during heart development.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling using methyl-sensitive, tiny fragment enrichment/massively parallel sequencing.
- Quantitative real-time PCR for gene expression analysis.
- Gene Ontology analysis to identify enriched pathways.
Main Results:
- Global DNA methylation at ACGT sites remained stable between embryonic day (E) 11.5 and E14.5.
- A subset of 2901 differentially methylated sites were identified, enriched in heart development genes.
- Expression of 181 developmentally regulated genes correlated with differential DNA methylation, including hyaluronan synthase 2 (Has2).
- Has2 downregulation in heart valves was linked to increased DNA methylation in its enhancer, dependent on DNA methyltransferase 3b.
Conclusions:
- DNA methylation is dynamically regulated for genes critical to heart development.
- Altered DNA methylation may play a role in the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease.
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