Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

DNA methylation in the fungi

F Antequera, M Tamame, J R Villanueva

    The Journal of Biological Chemistry
    |July 10, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Fungal DNA methylation is highly variable, with most species showing undetectable levels of 5-methylcytosine. When present, methylation occurs in specific DNA regions, unlike in vertebrates.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Mycology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Cytosine methylation is a key epigenetic modification in eukaryotes.
    • Fungal DNA methylation patterns are not well-characterized.
    • Understanding DNA modification in fungi provides insights into genome evolution.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To systematically investigate the incidence and patterns of cytosine methylation in diverse fungal species.
    • To compare fungal DNA methylation with that of other eukaryotes.

    Main Methods:

    • Restriction and nearest-neighbor analysis of DNA from fungal species.
    • Quantification of 5-methylcytosine content in fungal genomes.

    Main Results:

    • Fungi exhibit heterogeneous DNA methylation, with 18/20 species showing undetectable levels (<0.1%).
    • Detected methylation (0.2-0.5%) in some fungi, like Sporotrichum dimorphosporum and Phycomyces blakesleeanus, is primarily at CpG sites.
    • Methylated DNA forms clustered tracts (10-30 kbp) within repetitive sequences, comprising 1-11% of the genome.
    • These findings contrast with higher methylation levels in Physarum polycephalum, vertebrates, and plants.

    Conclusions:

    • Fungal DNA methylation is generally low and heterogeneously distributed.
    • Specific patterns of DNA methylation exist in certain fungal lineages.
    • Fungal methylation contrasts significantly with patterns observed in vertebrates and plants.

    More Related Videos

    Genome-wide Analysis of Histone Modifications Distribution using the Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing Method in Magnaporthe oryzae09:25

    Genome-wide Analysis of Histone Modifications Distribution using the Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing Method in Magnaporthe oryzae

    Published on: June 2, 2021

    Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors06:07

    Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

    Published on: August 5, 2022

    Related Concept Videos

    Epigenetic Regulation01:46

    Epigenetic Regulation

    Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
    Histone Modification02:32

    Histone Modification

    The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
    Acetylation
    The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
    Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

    Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

    Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
    Epigenetic Regulation01:37

    Epigenetic Regulation

    Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
    X-chromosome...
    Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions01:17

    Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions

    Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
    The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
    Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

    Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

    Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...