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DNA Methylation and Potential for Epigenetic Regulation in Pygospio elegans
Jenni E Kesäniemi1, Liisa Heikkinen1, K Emily Knott1
1Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Plos One
|March 24, 2016
Summary
DNA methylation patterns differ between female Pygospio elegans worms producing different larval types. This suggests epigenetic regulation may drive evolutionary transitions in developmental modes.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Epigenetics
- Marine biology
Background:
- Evolutionary transitions in developmental modes are common but poorly understood.
- The polychaete worm Pygospio elegans exhibits polymorphism in larval developmental modes, making it a model for studying these transitions.
- Maternal provisioning is a critical factor influencing larval phenotype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of DNA methylation in Pygospio elegans.
- To compare DNA methylation patterns in females during oogenesis, correlating them with offspring developmental modes.
- To explore potential epigenetic mechanisms underlying developmental mode transitions.
Main Methods:
- Methylation-sensitive Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (MS-AFLP) analysis.
- Analysis of CpG site DNA methylation in transcriptome data.
- Comparison of methylation profiles between females with different offspring developmental modes and non-reproductive females.
Main Results:
- DNA methylation occurs within intragenic CpG sites in Pygospio elegans, with essential DNA methylation genes present.
- Significant differences in DNA methylation profiles were observed between gravid females producing offspring with distinct larval developmental modes.
- Epigenetic profiles also differed between females producing benthic larvae and non-reproductive females from the same population.
- Transcriptome data analysis supported the presence of DNA methylation and revealed differing CpG observed/expected ratios among females producing different developmental modes.
Conclusions:
- DNA methylation is present and potentially functional in Pygospio elegans.
- Differences in DNA methylation patterns suggest a role for epigenetic regulation in controlling gene expression.
- Epigenetic mechanisms, specifically DNA methylation, may provide a pathway for evolutionary transitions in developmental modes.
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