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There is another: H3K27me3-mediated genomic imprinting
Maximilian W D Raas1, Dick W Zijlmans2, Michiel Vermeulen2
1Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|July 26, 2021
Summary
Genomic imprinting in mammals typically involves DNA methylation. However, histone modifications like H3K27me3 mediate noncanonical imprinting, impacting gene expression and development in mice.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and Developmental Biology
- Mammalian Genomics and Gene Regulation
Background:
- DNA methylation is traditionally recognized as the principal epigenetic regulator of genomic imprinting in mammals.
- Genomic imprinting ensures parent-of-origin-specific gene expression, crucial for normal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel mechanism of noncanonical genomic imprinting mediated by histone modifications.
- To explore the role of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in regulating imprinted gene expression during early mouse development.
Main Methods:
- Epigenetic profiling of early mouse embryos.
- Analysis of chromatin compaction and histone modification patterns (H3K27me3) at specific genomic loci.
- Gene expression analysis to determine allele-specific expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Identification of H3K27me3-marked domains and chromatin compaction on the maternal allele, independent of DNA methylation.
- Genes within these domains are exclusively expressed from the paternally derived allele, indicating noncanonical imprinting.
- This mechanism is critical for extraembryonic tissue development and imprinted X-chromosome inactivation in mice.
Conclusions:
- Histone H3K27me3-mediated noncanonical imprinting represents a significant epigenetic regulatory mechanism in mammals.
- This finding expands our understanding of genomic imprinting beyond DNA methylation.
- Further research into the dynamic chromatin landscape and evolutionary origins of noncanonical imprinting is warranted.
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