›› 2007, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (2): 82-85.

• 遗传繁育 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

DNA Methylation, Histone Modifications and Genes Silencing

SUO Xiaojun, ZHANG Nian   

  1. Animal & Veterinary Institute, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430209, China
  • Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:2007-02-20 Published:2007-02-20

Abstract: DNA methylation, histone deacetylation, and methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 are the three bestcharacterized covalent modifications associated with a repressed chromatin state, and they are all involved in genes silencing. Recent advances highlight an intricate connection of interactions among these processes, generating a selfreinforcing epigenetic cycle that might perpetuate a repressed chromatin state. Histone deacetylation and methylation at lysine 9 of H3 might also contribute to the establishment of DNA methylation patterns. What's more, the recent studies show that CpG methylation and other histone modifications are correlated. 

Key words: DNA; histones; methyltransferase; methylation; genes silencing

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