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Tet proteins enhance the developmental hourglass
Peter G Hendrickson1, Bradley R Cairns1
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Nature Genetics
|March 30, 2016
Summary
Tet proteins are crucial for demethylating gene enhancers in zebrafish, Xenopus tropicalis, and mice during early development. This epigenetic process supports the
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Epigenetics
- Comparative genomics
Background:
- The phylotypic period is a conserved stage in early vertebrate development.
- DNA methylation patterns are critical for regulating gene expression during development.
- Tet proteins are known to be involved in DNA demethylation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare DNA methylation profiles across different vertebrate species during early development.
- To investigate the role of Tet proteins in regulating gene enhancers during the phylotypic period.
- To provide an epigenetic basis for the developmental 'hourglass' model.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of DNA methylation profiles.
- Focus on zebrafish, Xenopus tropicalis, and mouse models.
- Examination of Tet protein function in gene enhancer demethylation.
Main Results:
- Identified conserved DNA methylation patterns in gene enhancers across species.
- Demonstrated Tet protein-mediated demethylation of these conserved enhancers.
- Linked epigenetic changes to the phylotypic period of development.
Conclusions:
- Tet proteins play a conserved role in epigenetically regulating gene enhancers during vertebrate development.
- Findings support the 'hourglass' model of development, highlighting conserved developmental stages.
- Establishes an epigenetic mechanism underlying developmental conservation.
