Methylation of cytosine deoxynucleotides generates 5-methylcytosine (m(5)dC), a well-established epigenetic mark. However, in higher eukaryotes much less is known about modifications affecting other deoxynucleotides. Here, we report the detection of N(6)-methyldeoxyadenosine (m(6)dA) in vertebrate DNA, specifically in Xenopus laevis but also in other species including mouse and human. Our methylome analysis reveals that m(6)dA is widely distributed across the eukaryotic genome and is present in different cell types but is commonly depleted from gene exons. Thus, direct DNA modifications might be more widespread than previously thought.
Identification of methylated deoxyadenosines in vertebrates reveals diversity in DNA modifications
Year of publication:
2016
Journal name:
Nature structural & molecular biology
Journal info:
23(1):24-30
PubMed link:
E-pub date:
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Research Programme:
Early Cancer Institute