Asymmetrical distribution of CpG in an 'average' mammalian gene

Spatial chromatin accessibility sequencing resolves high-order spatial interactions of epigenomic markers

As the genome is organized into a three-dimensional structure in intracellular space, epigenomic information also has a complex spatial arrangement. However, most epigenetic studies describe locations of methylation marks, chromatin accessibility regions, and histone modifications in the horizontal dimension. Proper spatial epigenomic information has rarely been obtained. In this study, we designed spatial chromatin accessibility sequencing (SCA-seq) to resolve the genome conformation by capturing the epigenetic information in single-molecular resolution while simultaneously resolving the genome conformation. Using SCA-seq, we are able to examine the spatial interaction of chromatin accessibility (e.g. enhancer-promoter contacts), CpG island methylation, and spatial insulating functions of the CCCTC-binding factor. We demonstrate that SCA-seq paves the way to explore the mechanism of epigenetic interactions and extends our knowledge in 3D packaging of DNA in the nucleus.

Intra-genome variability in the dinucleotide composition of SARS-CoV-2

CpG dinucleotides are under-represented in the genomes of single-stranded RNA viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 is no exception to this. Artificial modification of CpG frequency is a valid approach for live attenuated vaccine development; if this is to be applied to SARS-CoV-2, we must first understand the role CpG motifs play in regulating SARS-CoV-2 replication. Accordingly, the CpG composition of the SARS-CoV-2 genome was characterised. CpG suppression among coronaviruses does not differ between virus genera but does vary with host species and primary replication site (a proxy for tissue tropism), supporting the hypothesis that viral CpG content may influence cross-species transmission. Although SARS-CoV-2 exhibits overall strong CpG suppression, this varies considerably across the genome, and the Envelope (E) open reading frame (ORF) and ORF10 demonstrate an absence of CpG suppression. Across the Coronaviridae, E genes display remarkably high variation in CpG composition, with those of SARS and SARS-CoV-2 having much higher CpG content than other coronaviruses isolated from humans. This is an ancestrally derived trait reflecting their bat origins. Conservation of CpG motifs in these regions suggests that they have a functionality which over-rides the need to suppress CpG; an observation relevant to future strategies towards a rationally attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

A review of computational algorithms for CpG islands detection

CpG islands are generally known as the epigenetic regulatory regions in accordance with histone modifications, methylation, and promoter activity. There is a significant need for the exact mapping of DNA methylation in CpG islands to understand the diverse biological functions. However, the precise identification of CpG islands from the whole genome through experimental and computational approaches is still challenging. Numerous computational methods are being developed to detect the CpG-enriched regions, effectively, to reduce the time and cost of the experiments. Here, we review some of the latest computational CpG detection methods that utilize clustering, patterns and physical-distance like parameters for CpG island detection. The comparative analyses of the methods relying on different principles and parameters allow prioritizing the algorithms for specific CpG associated datasets to achieve higher accuracy and sensitivity. A number of computational tools based on the window, Hidden Markov Model, density and distance-/length-based algorithms are being applied on human or mammalian genomes for accurate CpG detection. Comparative analyses of CpG island detection algorithms facilitate to prefer the method according to the target genome and required parameters to attain higher accuracy, specificity, and performance. There is still a need for efficient computational CpG detection methods with lower false-positive results. This review provides a better understanding about the principles of tools that will assist to prioritize and develop the algorithms for accurate CpG islands detection.

CpG Islands: A Historical Perspective

The discovery of CpG islands (CGIs) and the study of their structure and properties run parallel to the development of molecular biology in the last two decades of the twentieth century and to the development of high-throughput genomic technologies at the turn of the millennium. First identified as discrete G + C-rich regions of unmethylated DNA in several vertebrates, CGIs were soon found to display additional distinctive chromatin features from the rest of the genome in terms of accessibility and of the epigenetic modifications of their histones. These features, together with their colocalization with promoters and with origins of DNA replication in mammals, highlighted their relevance in the regulation of genomic processes. Recent approaches have shown with unprecedented detail the dynamics and diversity of the epigenetic landscape of CGIs during normal development and under pathological conditions. Also, comparative analyses across species have started revealing how CGIs evolve and contribute to the evolution of the vertebrate genome.

The epigenetic regulation of the opioid system: new individualized prompt prevention and treatment strategies

The most well-known physiological effect associated with opiod system is their efficacy in pain reduction or analgesia, although their effect on a variety of other physiological and physiophological functions has become apparent in recent years. This review is an attempt to clarify in more detail the epigenetic regulation of opioid system to understand with more precision their transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation in multiple pyisiological and pharmacological contexts. The opioid receptors show an epigenetic regulation and opioid peptide precursors by methylation, chromatin remodeling and microRNA. Although the opioid receptor promoters have similarity between them, they use different epigenetic regulation forms and they exhibit different pattern of expression during the cell differentiation. DNA methylation is also confirmed in opioid peptide precursors, being important for gene expression and tissue specificity. Understanding the epigenetic basis of those physiological and physiopathological procesess is essential for the development of individualized prompt prevention and treatment strategies.

Synonymous codon usage bias in plant mitochondrial genes is associated with intron number and mirrors species evolution

Synonymous codon usage bias (SCUB) is a common event that a non-uniform usage of codons often occurs in nearly all organisms. We previously found that SCUB is correlated with both intron number and exon position in the plant nuclear genome but not in the plastid genome; SCUB in both nuclear and plastid genome can mirror the evolutionary specialization. However, how about the rules in the mitochondrial genome has not been addressed. Here, we present an analysis of SCUB in the mitochondrial genome, based on 24 plant species ranging from algae to land plants. The frequencies of NNA and NNT (A- and T-ending codons) are higher than those of NNG and NNC, with the strongest preference in bryophytes and the weakest in land plants, suggesting an association between SCUB and plant evolution. The preference for NNA and NNT is more evident in genes harboring a greater number of introns in land plants, but the bias to NNA and NNT exhibits even among exons. The pattern of SCUB in the mitochondrial genome differs in some respects to that present in both the nuclear and plastid genomes.

Unraveling the sequence-dependent polymorphic behavior of d(CpG) steps in B-DNA

We have made a detailed study of one of the most surprising sources of polymorphism in B-DNA: the high twist/low twist (HT/LT) conformational change in the d(CpG) base pair step. Using extensive computations, complemented with database analysis, we were able to characterize the twist polymorphism in the d(CpG) step in all the possible tetranucleotide environment. We found that twist polymorphism is coupled with BI/BII transitions, and, quite surprisingly, with slide polymorphism in the neighboring step. Unexpectedly, the penetration of cations into the minor groove of the d(CpG) step seems to be the key element in promoting twist transitions. The tetranucleotide environment also plays an important role in the sequence-dependent d(CpG) polymorphism. In this connection, we have detected a previously unexplored intramolecular C-H···O hydrogen bond interaction that stabilizes the low twist state when 3'-purines flank the d(CpG) step. This work explains a coupled mechanism involving several apparently uncorrelated conformational transitions that has only been partially inferred by earlier experimental or theoretical studies. Our results provide a complete description of twist polymorphism in d(CpG) steps and a detailed picture of the molecular choreography associated with this conformational change.

The control region of mitochondrial DNA shows an unusual CpG and non-CpG methylation pattern

DNA methylation is a common epigenetic modification of the mammalian genome. Conflicting data regarding the possible presence of methylated cytosines within mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been reported. To clarify this point, we analysed the methylation status of mtDNA control region (D-loop) on human and murine DNA samples from blood and cultured cells by bisulphite sequencing and methylated/hydroxymethylated DNA immunoprecipitation assays. We found methylated and hydroxymethylated cytosines in the L-strand of all samples analysed. MtDNA methylation particularly occurs within non-C-phosphate-G (non-CpG) nucleotides, mainly in the promoter region of the heavy strand and in conserved sequence blocks, suggesting its involvement in regulating mtDNA replication and/or transcription. We observed DNA methyltransferases within the mitochondria, but the inactivation of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells results in a reduction of the CpG methylation, while the non-CpG methylation shows to be not affected. This suggests that D-loop epigenetic modification is only partially established by these enzymes. Our data show that DNA methylation occurs in the mtDNA control region of mammals, not only at symmetrical CpG dinucleotides, typical of nuclear genome, but in a peculiar non-CpG pattern previously reported for plants and fungi. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this pattern remain an open question.

Impact of methylation on the physical properties of DNA

There is increasing evidence for the presence of an alternative code imprinted in the genome that might contribute to gene expression regulation through an indirect reading mechanism. In mammals, components of this coarse-grained regulatory mechanism include chromatin structure and epigenetic signatures, where d(CpG) nucleotide steps are key players. We report a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of d(CpG) steps that provides a detailed description of their physical characteristics and the impact of cytosine methylation on these properties. We observed that methylation changes the physical properties of d(CpG) steps, having a dramatic effect on enriched CpG segments, such as CpG islands. We demonstrate that methylation reduces the affinity of DNA to assemble into nucleosomes, and can affect nucleosome positioning around transcription start sites. Overall, our results suggest a mechanism by which the basic physical properties of the DNA fiber can explain parts of the cellular epigenetic regulatory mechanisms.

Smchd1-dependent and -independent pathways determine developmental dynamics of CpG island methylation on the inactive X chromosome

X chromosome inactivation involves multiple levels of chromatin modification, established progressively and in a stepwise manner during early development. The chromosomal protein Smchd1 was recently shown to play an important role in DNA methylation of CpG islands (CGIs), a late step in the X inactivation pathway that is required for long-term maintenance of gene silencing. Here we show that inactive X chromosome (Xi) CGI methylation can occur via either Smchd1-dependent or -independent pathways. Smchd1-dependent CGI methylation, the primary pathway, is acquired gradually over an extended period, whereas Smchd1-independent CGI methylation occurs rapidly after the onset of X inactivation. The de novo methyltransferase Dnmt3b is required for methylation of both classes of CGI, whereas Dnmt3a and Dnmt3L are dispensable. Xi CGIs methylated by these distinct pathways differ with respect to their sequence characteristics and immediate chromosomal environment. We discuss the implications of these results for understanding CGI methylation during development.

On the role of low-dose effects and epigenetics in toxicology

For a long time, scientists considered genotoxic effects as the major issue concerning the influence of environmental chemicals on human health. Over the last decades, a new layer superimposed the genome, i.e., the epigenome, tremendously changing this point of view. The term "epigenetics" comprises stable alterations in gene expression potential arising from variations in DNA methylation and a variety of histone modifications, without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Recently, also gene silencing by small noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), in particular by microRNAs, was included in the list of epigenetic mechanisms. Multiple studies in vivo as well as in vitro have shown that a multitude of different environmental factors are capable of changing the epigenetic pattern as well as miRNA expression in certain cell types, leading to aberrant gene expression profiles in cells and tissues. These changes may have extensive effects concerning the proper gene expression necessary in a specified cell type and can even lead into a state of disease. Especially the roles of epigenetic modifications and miRNA alterations in tumorigenesis have been a major focus in research over the last years. This chapter will give an overview on epigenetic features and on the spectrum of epigenetic changes observed after exposure against environmental chemicals and pollutants.

Somatic cytochrome c (CYCS) gene expression and promoter-specific DNA methylation in a porcine model of prenatal exposure to maternal dietary protein excess and restriction

There is growing evidence that maternal nutrition during gestation has an important effect on offspring development as well as on their gene expression with long-term effects on the metabolic state. A potential mechanism forming long-lasting gene expression patterns is DNA methylation of cytosine in CpG dinucleotides within the promoter region of distinct genes. There has been special focus on mitochondrial dysfunction by prenatal malnourishment over the recent years. To this end, we investigated the gene expression of somatic cytochrome c (CYCS), an important member of the respiratory chain, in a porcine model of gestational protein over- and undersupply at 94 d post-conception and 1, 28 and 188 d of age, and analysed the association with the DNA methylation status within the CYCS promoter. Gene expression on day 1 post natum showed a significant increase in the low protein (LP) group (P = 0·0005) and a slight increase in the high protein (HP) group (P = 0·079) compared with the control (CO) group in the liver. The mean of the methylation level over forty-seven CpG sites from nucleotide (nt) − 417 to − 10 was significantly decreased in the LP (P = 0·007) and HP (P = 0·009) groups compared with that in the CO group. Excess and restricted protein supply during pregnancy led to hypomethylation of a number of CpG sites in the CYCS promoter, including those representing putative transcription factor-binding sites, associated with elevated expression levels. However, the impact of the low-protein gestation diet is more pronounced, indicating that the offspring could better adapt to excess rather than restricted protein supply.

In vivo, in vitro, and in silico analysis of methylation of the HIV-1 provirus

HIV-1 latency is a barrier to overcome in the effort to fully eradicate the virus from infected individuals using highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Therefore, the study of the mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 latency are vital to achieving a cure. Transcriptional repression of the viral promoter is the major cause of HIV-1 latency. DNA methylation of genomic regions known as CpG islands (CpGIs) is a well-established transcriptional regulatory mechanism, and the HIV-1 provirus contains several conserved CpGIs including two that are located within the viral promoter region. The study of these CpGIs in both in vitro and in vivo models of HIV-1 latency using the technique of bisulfite-mediated methylcytosine mapping has led to their identification as factors that contribute to the maintenance of HIV-1 latency. Here, we discuss the identification of CpGIs within the HIV-1 provirus and the study of their differential methylation patterns in several HIV-1 latency models using bisulfite-mediated methylcytosine mapping.

Human non-CG methylation: are human stem cells plant-like?

Non-CG methylation is well characterized in plants, where it appears to play a role in gene silencing and genomic imprinting. Although strong evidence for the presence of non-CG methylation in animals has been available for some time, both its origin and function remain elusive. In this review we discuss available evidence on non-CG methylation in animals in light of evidence suggesting that the human stem cell methylome contains significant levels of methylation outside the CG site.

Epigenetics of neurological cancers

Epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA methylation, histone modifications and noncoding RNAs regulate and maintain gene-expression states. Similar to genetic mutations, alterations in epigenetic regulation can lead to uncontrolled cell division, tumor initiation and growth, invasiveness and metastasis. Research in brain cancer, particularly gliomas, has uncovered global and gene-specific DNA hypomethylation, local DNA hypermethylation of gene promoters and the de-regulation of microRNA expression. Understanding epigenetic dysregulation in brain cancers has provided new tools for prognostication, as well as suggesting new approaches to therapy. There is significant interest in new sequencing-based technologies that map genetic and epigenetic alterations comprehensively and at high resolution. These methods are being applied to brain tumors, and will better define the contribution of epigenetic defects to tumorigenesis.

Molecular epigenetics and genetics in neuro-oncology

Gliomas arise through genetic and epigenetic alterations of normal brain cells, although the exact cell of origin for each glioma subtype is unknown. The alteration-induced changes in gene expression and protein function allow uncontrolled cell division, tumor expansion, and infiltration into surrounding normal brain parenchyma. The genetic and epigenetic alterations are tumor subtype and tumor-grade specific. Particular alterations predict tumor aggressiveness, tumor response to therapy, and patient survival. Genetic alterations include deletion, gain, amplification, mutation, and translocation, which result in oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene inactivation, or in some instances the alterations may simply be a consequence of tumorigenesis. Epigenetic alterations in brain tumors include CpG island hypermethylation associated with tumor suppressor gene silencing, gene-specific hypomethylation associated with aberrant gene activation, and genome-wide hypomethylation potentially leading to loss of imprinting, chromosomal instability, and cellular hyperproliferation. Other epigenetic alterations, such as changes in the position of histone variants and changes in histone modifications are also likely to be important in the molecular pathology of brain tumors. Given that histone deacetylases are targets for drugs that are already in clinical trial, surprisingly little is known about histone acetylation in primary brain tumors. Although a majority of epigenetic alterations are independent of genetic alterations, there is interaction on specific genes, signaling pathways and within chromosomal domains. Next-generation sequencing technology is now the method of choice for genomic and epigenome profiling, allowing more comprehensive understanding of genetic and epigenetic contributions to tumorigenesis in the brain.

The composition of untranslated regions in Trypanosoma cruzi genes

We collected the UTRs from Trypanosomacruzi genes that have been experimentally mapped and are publicly available, and made a comprehensive analysis of their composition features including sequence length, G+C content and relationship to ORF, composition of the most frequent words, and distribution of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR). T. cruzi UTRs exhibit range length of 10-400bp for 5' UTR and 17-2800 for 3' UTR. Both UTRs display mean G+C content of 40%. Ratios between the UTR and protein coding segments show that the 5' UTR is limited to a maximum of 20% of the total length in the final transcript. The 5' UTR most frequent words in the range 4-12 bases are almost exact complement to the 3' UTR respective words. SSR in 3' UTR are longer than in 5' UTR and are mostly derived from TA/AT, TG/GT, and TTA/ATT. SSR accounts up to 20% of the nucleotide composition in 5' UTR and up to 90% in the 3' UTR.

Epigenetic mechanisms in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive and lethal cancer, accounting for the majority of primary brain tumors in adults. GBMs are characterized by genetic alterations large and small, affecting genes that control cell growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and invasion. Epigenetic alterations also affect the expression of cancer genes alone, or in combination with genetic mechanisms. For example, in each GBM, hundreds of genes are subject to DNA hypermethylation at their CpG island promoters. A subset of GBMs is also characterized by locus-specific and genome-wide decrease in DNA methylation, or DNA hypomethylation. Other epigenetic alterations, such as changes in the position of histone variants and changes in histone modifications are also likely important in the molecular pathology of GBM, but somewhat surprisingly there are very limited data about these in GBM. Alterations in histone modifications are especially important to understand, given that histone deacetylases are targets for drugs that are in clinical trial for GBMs. The technological wave of next-generation sequencing will accelerate GBM epigenome profiling, allowing the direct integration of DNA methylation, histone modification and gene expression profiles. Ultimately, genomic and epigenomic data should provide new predictive markers of response and lead to more effective therapies for GBM.

Egr1 regulates the coordinated expression of numerous EGF receptor target genes as identified by ChIP-on-chip

BACKGROUND

UV irradiation activates the epidermal growth factor receptor, induces Egr1 expression and promotes apoptosis in a variety of cell types. We examined the hypothesis that Egr1 regulates genes that mediate this process by use of a chip-on-chip protocol in human tumorigenic prostate M12 cells.

RESULTS

UV irradiation led to significant binding of 288 gene promoters by Egr1. A major functional subgroup consisted of apoptosis related genes. The largest subgroup of 24 genes belongs to the epidermal growth factor receptor-signal transduction pathway. Egr1 promoter binding had a significant impact on gene expression of target genes. Conventional chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative real time PCR were used to validate promoter binding and expression changes. Small interfering RNA experiments were used to demonstrate the specific role of Egr1 in gene regulation. UV stimulation promotes growth arrest and apoptosis of M12 cells and our data clearly show that a downstream target of the epidermal growth factor receptor, namely Egr1, mediates this apoptotic response. Our study also identified numerous previously unknown targets of Egr1. These include FasL, MAX and RRAS2, which may play a role in the apoptotic response/growth arrest.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that M12 cells undergo Egr1-dependent apoptotic response upon UV stimulation and led to the identification of downstream targets of Egr1, which mediate epidermal growth factor receptor function.

Effect of 5-azacytidine on the methylation aspects of NMDA receptor NR2B gene in the cultured cortical neurons of mice

Our previous study revealed that the exposure of the drug 5-Azacytidine and ethanol to the cultured cortical neurons of mice causes demethylation of cytosine residues in the CpG island of the NMDA receptor NR2B gene (Marutha Ravindran and Ticku, Mol Brain Res 121:19-27, 2004). In the present study, we further analyzed methylation in the CpG island with various concentration frame and time frame of exposure of the cultured cortical neurons with 5-azacytidine to identify whether methylation in the NR2B gene is site specific or region specific. Methylation was studied by digesting the genomic DNA with methylation sensitive HpaII, MspI, AciI or HhaI enzyme following the exposure of cultured cortical neurons of mice with 5-azacytidine by performing PCR and Southern hybridization. We observed demethylation of DNA at 1, 3 and 5 muM concentrations of 5-azacytidine in the regions (5982-6155), (6743-7466) and at 3 and 5 muM concentrations of 5-azacytidine used in the region (6477-6763). Similarly in the time frame study with 5-azacytidine, demethylation of DNA was observed at 24 h and 36 h of incubation with 5-azacytidine in the regions (5982-6155), (6743-7466) and at 36 h of incubation with 5-azacytidine used in the region (6477-6763). Our experimental results demonstrate that the methylation in the CpG islands of the NR2B gene may not be site specific or region specific in the cultured cortical neurons of mice.

Presence and role of cytosine methylation in DNA viruses of animals

Nucleotide composition varies greatly among DNA viruses of animals, yet the evolutionary pressures and biological mechanisms driving these patterns are unclear. One of the most striking discrepancies lies in the frequency of CpG (the dinucleotide CG, linked by a phosphate group), which is underrepresented in most small DNA viruses (those with genomes below 10 kb) but not in larger DNA viruses. Cytosine methylation might be partially responsible, but research on this topic has focused on a few virus groups. For several viruses that integrate their genome into the host genome, the methylation status during this stage has been studied extensively, and the relationship between methylation and viral-induced tumor formation has been examined carefully. However, for actively replicating viruses—particularly small DNA viruses—the methylation status of CpG motifs is rarely known and the effects on the viral life cycle are obscure. In vertebrate host genomes, most cytosines at CpG sites are methylated, which in vertebrates acts to regulate gene expression and facilitates the recognition of unmethylated, potentially pathogen-associated DNA. Here we briefly introduce cytosine methylation before reviewing what is currently known about CpG methylation in DNA viruses.

CpGcluster: a distance-based algorithm for CpG-island detection

Background

Despite their involvement in the regulation of gene expression and their importance as genomic markers for promoter prediction, no objective standard exists for defining CpG islands (CGIs), since all current approaches rely on a large parameter space formed by the thresholds of length, CpG fraction and G+C content.

Results

Given the higher frequency of CpG dinucleotides at CGIs, as compared to bulk DNA, the distance distributions between neighboring CpGs should differ for bulk and island CpGs. A new algorithm (CpGcluster) is presented, based on the physical distance between neighboring CpGs on the chromosome and able to predict directly clusters of CpGs, while not depending on the subjective criteria mentioned above. By assigning a p-value to each of these clusters, the most statistically significant ones can be predicted as CGIs. CpGcluster was benchmarked against five other CGI finders by using a test sequence set assembled from an experimental CGI library. CpGcluster reached the highest overall accuracy values, while showing the lowest rate of false-positive predictions. Since a minimum-length threshold is not required, CpGcluster can find short but fully functional CGIs usually missed by other algorithms. The CGIs predicted by CpGcluster present the lowest degree of overlap with Alu retrotransposons and, simultaneously, the highest overlap with vertebrate Phylogenetic Conserved Elements (PhastCons). CpGcluster's CGIs overlapping with the Transcription Start Site (TSS) show the highest statistical significance, as compared to the islands in other genome locations, thus qualifying CpGcluster as a valuable tool in discriminating functional CGIs from the remaining islands in the bulk genome.

Conclusion

CpGcluster uses only integer arithmetic, thus being a fast and computationally efficient algorithm able to predict statistically significant clusters of CpG dinucleotides. Another outstanding feature is that all predicted CGIs start and end with a CpG dinucleotide, which should be appropriate for a genomic feature whose functionality is based precisely on CpG dinucleotides. The only search parameter in CpGcluster is the distance between two consecutive CpGs, in contrast to previous algorithms. Therefore, none of the main statistical properties of CpG islands (neither G+C content, CpG fraction nor length threshold) are needed as search parameters, which may lead to the high specificity and low overlap with spurious Alu elements observed for CpGcluster predictions.

The diallelic locus encoding the minor histocompatibility antigen HA-1 is evolutionarily conserved

The polymorphic minor histocompatibility antigen HA-1 induces powerful T-cell alloreactivities with important consequences for graft-vs-tumor activity and development of graft-vs-host disease in patients after human leukocyte antigen-matched stem-cell transplantation (SCT). In view of possible translational animal studies, we analyzed the evolutionary conservation of the diallelic HA-1 locus in four mammalian species. Our results show that rodents do not encode the HA-1(H) allele, neither show polymorphism in this position on the HA-1 gene. Contrariwise, the HA-1(H) allele is present in non-human primate species and dogs. Interestingly, both the HA-1(H) T-cell epitope and its non-immunogenic counterpart HA-1(R) are present in the latter species. Thus, the HA-1 allelic polymorphism is conserved in evolution in primates and dogs.

Epigenome analyses using BAC microarrays identify evolutionary conservation of tissue-specific methylation of SHANK3

CpG islands are present in one-half of all human and mouse genes and typically overlap with promoters or exons. We developed a method for high-resolution analysis of the methylation status of CpG islands genome-wide, using arrays of BAC clones and the methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme NotI. Here we demonstrate the accuracy and specificity of the method. By computationally mapping all NotI sites, methylation events can be defined with single-nucleotide precision throughout the genome. We also demonstrate the unique expandability of the array method using a different methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme, BssHII. We identified and validated new CpG island loci that are methylated in a tissue-specific manner in normal human tissues. The methylation status of the CpG islands is associated with gene expression for several genes, including SHANK3, which encodes a structural protein in neuronal postsynaptic densities. Defects in SHANK3 seem to underlie human 22q13 deletion syndrome. Furthermore, these patterns for SHANK3 are conserved in mice and rats.

Methylation of NMDA receptor NR2B gene as a function of age in the mouse brain

We have previously reported that there is an up-regulation of the NR2B gene expression in the adult cortex and cultured fetal cortical neurons of mice following chronic ethanol treatment due to demethylation of cytosine residues in the NR2B gene CpG island. In the present study, we investigated the methylation pattern of the NR2B CpG island as a function of the mouse age by digesting the cortex genomic DNA with HpaII enzyme, amplifying the interested regions by performing PCR and detecting the methylated regions by Southern hybridization so as to determine whether age affects the methylation process. We observed demethylation of various regions of NR2B gene (5227-5567), (5647-6003), (6091-6445), (6424-7024) of adult mouse cortex. Our results indicate that methylation of NR2B gene in the mouse brain is age-dependent phenomenon.

Similar rates but different modes of sequence evolution in introns and at exonic silent sites in rodents: evidence for selectively driven codon usage

In mammals divergence at fourfold degenerate sites in codons (K(4)) and intronic sequence (K(i)) are both used to estimate the mutation rate, under the supposition that both evolve neutrally. Does it matter which of these we use? Using either class of sequence can be defended because (1) K(4) is the same as K(i) (at least in rodents) and (2) there is no selectively driven codon usage (hence no systematic selection on third sites). Here we re-examine these findings using 560 introns (for 136 genes) in the mouse-rat comparison, aligned by eye and using a new maximum likelihood protocol. We find that the rate of evolution at fourfold sites and at intronic sites is similar in magnitude, but only after eliminating putatively constrained sites from introns (first introns and sites flanking intron-exon junctions). Any approximate congruence between the two rates is not, however, owing to an underlying similarity in the mode of sequence evolution. Some dinucleotides are hypermutable and differently abundant in exons and introns (e.g., CpGs). More importantly, after controlling for relative abundance, all dinucleotides starting with A or T are more prevalent in mismatches in exons than in introns, whereas C-starting dinucleotides (except CG) are more common in introns. Although C content at intronic sites is lower than at flanking fourfold sites, G content is similar, demonstrating that there exists a strong strand-specific preference for C nucleotides that is unique to exons. Transcription-coupled mutational processes and biased gene conversion cannot explain this, as they should affect introns and flanking exons equally. Therefore, by elimination, we propose this to be strong evidence for selectively driven codon usage in mammals.

Sequence patterns defining the 5' boundary of human genes

In studies of both short and relatively long human genomic DNA, we found a clustering of the consensus site for the transcription factor GCF at the 5' boundary of a subset of human genes. In studies of promoter regions with known transcription initiation site, the cluster of consensus GCF site appeared near the transcription initiation site and in some sequences it extended into the transcribed region defining the leader mRNA. We also found a detectable correlation between the 5' boundary of human genes and recognition motifs for other transcription factors that bind to GC-rich sequences. But in these cases, the correlation was not as general as the correlation observed for the consensus GCF site.

Notl-Msell methylation-sensitive amplied fragment length polymorhism for DNA methylation analysis of human cancers

We have applied a methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease, NotI, to the existing amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method and developed NotI-MseI methylation-sensitive-AFLP (MS-AFLP). NotI-MseI MS-AFLP allows the analysis of DNA methylation alterations at the NotI sites scattered over the genome. Hypermethylation and hypomethylation are visualized by the decrease and increase in the band intensity of DNA fingerprints. Identification of consistent changes can be facilitated through parallel electrophoresis of multiple samples. DNA fragments exhibiting alterations can be cloned from fingerprint bands by amplification of gel-eluted DNA with the same pair of primers used for radioactive fingerprint presentation. Fluorescent NotI-MseI MS-AFLP offers a safer method of studying the alterations in DNA methylation, and may be applied to the hybridization of DNA microarrays in the future. Using NotI-MseI MS-AFLP, we observed frequent hypomethylation of a satellite DNA repeat sequence in a majority of breast tumors.

DNA methylation: biology and significance

The modification of DNA by cytosine methylation is crucial for normal development. DNA methylation patterns are distinctive between tissues and are maintained with high fidelity during cell division. DNA methylation probably exerts its effects through alterations in chromatin structure, with a resultant effect on genetic transcription. 5-methylcytosine is also prone to spontaneous hydrolytic deamination to thymine. Whilst most G:T mismatches so produced are repaired, failure of mismatch repair leads to established mutation. Indeed, mutations that are the result of 5-methylcytosine transitions account for a disproportionate number of genetic mutations described in malignant and non-malignant disease. There is also evidence for substantial deregulation of DNA methylation in malignancy. Whether this deregulation is crucial for the transformation process, or simply an epiphenomenon associated with it, is still not established.

Synthesis of a lacI gene analogue with reduced CpG content

A lacI gene analogue with reduced CpG content has been synthesized. Codon usage in the lacI gene was manipulated to remove most CpG sites (82/95; 86%) while maintaining wild-type amino acid sequence. The double-stranded gene sequence was synthesized using standard beta-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite chemistry and subsequently cloned into pBR322. Bacterial promoter sequences with different levels of activity were attached upstream of the modified coding region to study its expression in E. coli. Production of lacI protein was confirmed in a lacI- E. coli strain by Western blot analysis and by measuring repression of the lacZ gene with the chromogenic lacZ indicator, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal). The modified lacI gene construct can be used as a genetic target in cultured mammalian cells or in transgenic animals to avoid high levels of background mutation associated with methylated CpG sequences. The construction scheme described here provides a general approach to remove CpG sequences from gene constructs when methylation is undesirable.

Compositional correlations in the nuclear genes of the flatworm Schistosoma mansoni

We have investigated the genome organization in the flatworm Schistosoma mansoni. First, we analyzed the compositional distributions of the three codon positions. Second, we investigated the correlations that exist between (1) the GC levels of exons against flanking regions, (2) the GC levels of third codon positions against flanking regions, (3) the dinucleotide frequencies of exons against flanking regions, and (4) the GC levels of 5' against 3' regions. The modality of the distribution of third codon positions, together with the significant correlations found, leads us to propose that the nuclear genome of this species is compositionally compartmentalized.

Sequence analysis and compositional properties of untranslated regions of human mRNAs

A detailed computer analysis of the untranslated regions, 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR, of human mRNA sequences is reported. The compositional properties of these regions, compared with those of the corresponding coding regions, indicate that 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR are less affected by the isochore compartmentalization than the corresponding third codon positions of mRNAs. The presence of higher functional constraints in 5'-UTR is also reported. Dinucleotide analysis shows a depletion of CpG and TpA in both sequences. A search for significant sequence motifs using the WORDUP algorithm reveals the patterns already known to have a functional role in the mRNA UTR, and several other motifs whose functional roles remain to be demonstrated. This type of analysis may be particularly useful for guiding site-directed mutagenesis experiments. In addition, it can be used for assessing the nature of anonymous sequences now produced in large amounts in megabase sequencing projects.

Possible implications of CpG avoidance in the flatworm Schistosoma mansoni

We report the analysis of the biases of CpG, TpG, and CpA of all the DNA sequences data from the Trematode Schistosoma mansoni. Our results show CpG avoidance whereas TpG and CpA frequencies are over the expected values. These characteristics are similar to the biases displayed by methylated genomes, but in platyhelminths 5mC has not been detected by biochemical methods. The possible implications of this CpG shortage are discussed.

Frequencies of codons in histones, tubulins and fibrinogen: bias due to interference between transcription signals and protein function

The distribution of codons was studied in 65 proteins: 48 histones, 14 tubulins, and three fibrinogens, With the methodology used, (1) we confirmed that the preterminator state of a codon has no detectable effect on codon bias. (2) The well-known effect of CG suppression was visible. We also found that (3) some codons which are very rare, are equal to parts of known transcription signals. Thus, we advanced that to avoid signal interference, the use of these codons is suppressed when a synonymous codon is available. In addition we found that in the whole series of codons, transcription signals are less frequent than in a random sequence of equal composition. Finally we observed (4) that tryptophan is absent in histones. This absence was related not to the TGG codon itself, but to characteristics of the amino acid. We conclude that the functional constraints of a protein can influence, at least for synonymous codon usage, the evolution of its own coding sequence.

Prolactin-deficient GH3B3 cells are defective in the utilization of the endogenous prolactin promoter yet are fully competent to initiate transcription from a transfected prolactin promoter

Transcription of the prolactin (PRL) gene has been analyzed in wild-type D6, PRL-deficient B3, and revertant r16 GH3 cells. Levels of processed nuclear transcripts from the PRL gene were substantially reduced in the deficient line compared to wild-type cells and returned to greater than wild-type levels in the revertant line. Rare PRL transcripts in the deficient line contained the same 5' end found on transcripts in wild-type and revertant cells as judged by primer extension and S1 nuclease protection assays, implying that the cells are deficient in utilization of the normal wild-type promoter. Deficient cells also contained wild-type levels of the PRL- and growth hormone-specific transcription factor pit-1/GHF-1, and no difference was found in the ability of extracts from wild-type and deficient cells to retard various restriction fragments from both the proximal and the distal PRL promoter regions. The deficient and wild-type cells were equally competent in initiating transcription from a transfected rat PRL promoter containing both the distal and proximal promoter elements. These observations imply that PRL-deficient cells are not defective in a trans-activating factor functioning on these PRL promoter fragments (trans model). Rather, inefficient use of the PRL promoter in the variant cells may reflect an increased methylation state of the PRL gene itself (cis model).

Polymorphisms generated by arbitrarily primed PCR in the mouse: application to strain identification and genetic mapping

Polymorphisms in genomic fingerprints generated by arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) can distinguish between strains of almost any organism. We applied the technique to the mouse (Mus musculus). The characteristic differences in the AP-PCR genomic fingerprints between strains will be of value in strain identification and verification. Using one primer, we genetically mapped four polymorphisms in a set of C57BL/6J x DBA/2J recombinant inbreds. One of these polymorphisms is a length variant. The method will allow rapid genetic mapping of DNA polymorphisms without Southern blotting.

Methylation of intact chromosomes by bacterial methylases in agarose plugs suitable for pulsed-field electrophoresis. Methylation of intact chromosomes in agarose by methylases

Conditions were determined for the methylation of intact yeast chromosomes by EcoRI, HhaI, and MspI bacterial methylases using an endonuclease protection assay while the chromosomes were embedded in agarose plugs suitable for transverse-field electrophoresis. Parameters were also established for the methylation of human chromosomes by EcoRI methylase. Methylation of embedded chromosomes by EcoRI methylase required prewashes with EDTA. EcoRI, HhaI, and MspI methylases showed optimal activity when nonacetylated bovine serum albumin, high levels of S-adenosylmethionine, and high levels of methylase were used. The use of bacterial methylases for methylation of embedded chromosomes will allow investigators to normalize variations in cellular DNA methylation prior to restriction and create new and rare endonuclease recognition sites which will facilitate the detection of chromosomal alterations and deletions.

Selection against CpG dinucleotides in lentiviral genes: a possible role of methylation in regulation of viral expression

Extremely low frequencies of CpG dinucleotides are found in the genomes of the lentivirus subfamily of retroviruses, including the human, simian and feline immunodeficiency viruses (HIV1, HIV2, SIV, and FIV, respectively), equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), and the ovine lentivirus, Visna. The occurrence of CpG dinucleotides is greater in the 2-3 (NCG) than in the 1-2 (CGN) codon-defined frame, as well as in the gag and env genes, compared to the more conserved pol gene. These differences suggest that CpG depletion in lentiviruses occurs as a result of selection against CpG rather than due to mutational bias, the latter is responsible for low CpG frequencies in vertebrate genomes. CpG levels in the onco-retrovirus subfamily are reduced to a lesser extent, principally due to mutational bias. The difference between the retrovirus subfamilies appears to reflect their evolutionary origin, that is, lentiviruses have no known endogenous counterparts whereas most oncoviruses have endogenous cellular counterparts with which they can undergo recombination. Furthermore, we suggest that the number of CpG dinucleotides in a lentiviral genome determines the maximum potential DNA methylation level of the provirus, which in turn affects viral transcription in host cells.

The apparent specificity of NotI (5'-GCGGCCGC-3') is enhanced by M.FnuDII or M.BepI methyltransferases (5'-mCGCG-3'): cutting bacterial chromosomes into a few large pieces

The restriction endonuclease (ENase) NotI is blocked by methylation within its recognition sequence at 5'-GCGGCmCGC-3'. This sensitivity to methylation can be used to enhance the specificity of NotI in vivo and in vitro. Modification by M.FnuDII or M.BepI methyltransferases (MTase) (5'-mCGCG-3') will block NotI (5'-GCGGCCGC-3') cleavage at overlapping MTase/ENase sites 5'-CGCGGCCGC-3' (equivalent to 5'-GCGGCCGCG-3'), and increase the apparent cleavage specificity of NotI about twofold. This 'cross-protection' procedure reduces the number of NotI fragments in the genomes of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, as resolved by pulsed field electrophoresis. Application of this method to large DNAs in vitro requires the preparation of highly purified DNA MTases.

Methylation in eucaryotes influences the repair of G/T and A/C DNA basepair mismatches

Although methylation of DNA at some sites regulates gene expression, 5mC at many sites does not appear to have any effect. We present evidence that hemimethylation at many different sites can act as a discrimination signal in mismatch repair. Deamination of 5mC in a symmetrically methylated doublet CpG yields the mismatched base pair T/G in a hemi-methylated doublet pair. Because both bases in the mismatched pair are normal constituents of DNA, identifying the incorrect base is problematic. The only apparent distinction of the two is the methylation on the strand opposite the deamination event. Using available methylases we have produced hemi-methylated SV40 DNAs that are mismatched at a single T/G or A/C basepair in a sequence that mimics the lesion resulting from the deamination of a 5mCpG. Methylation at the adjacent cytosine results in the replacement of the T much more frequently than when no methylation is present in the heteroduplex. Cytosine methylation at sites farther removed from the mismatch is equally effective in replacing the incorrect T at the mismatch. Although methylation in vertebrates is almost exclusively on cytosine in the doublet CpG, methylation of cytosines in other doublets, as well as methylation of adenosine, also act as strand discrimination signals. Perhaps some of the excess methylation in vertebrate DNAs may serve to direct mismatch repair.

Demethylation enhances removal of pyrimidine dimers from the overall genome and from specific DNA sequences in Chinese hamster ovary cells

We have examined the effects of changes in cytosine methylation on DNA repair in UV-irradiated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. A hypomethylated derivative of the CHO K1B11 line, B11aza, was established by passaging B11 cells over several months in increasing concentrations of 5-azacytidine; greater than 60% demethylation was consistently demonstrated in these conditioned cells. Following a UV dose of 10 J/m2, the amount of repair replication performed within 24 h was approximately twofold higher in B11aza cells than in control B11 cells. Removal of T4 endonuclease V-sensitive sites (ESS) from specific restriction fragments within and around the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene was then examined in B11aza cells and compared with that in B11 cells. Although demethylation had little or no effect on repair in the 5' half of the DHFR gene, within a nontranscribed sequence immediately downstream from the gene, or within an extragenic region further downstream from the DHFR gene, significant increases in repair were observed at the 3' end of the DHFR gene and within an extragenic region upstream of the DHFR gene. However, the increases in DNA repair were not accompanied by any changes in overall cellular resistance to UV when colony-forming ability was assayed. We suggest that the level of DNA methylation may play an indirect role in the regulation of DNA repair, perhaps through an effect on chromatin structure or transcriptional activity.

Binding properties of human anti-DNA antibodies to cloned human DNA fragments

The DNA-anti-DNA antibody immune complexes were isolated from plasma of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and DNA fragments separated from immune complexes were subjected to molecular cloning. The resulting recombinant DNA clones showed a molecular size of 37-79 base pairs, a high guanine and cytosine content, high frequencies of CpG dinucleotides, and palindromic sequences, and also clusters of G + C- and A + T-rich segments. These clones hybridized randomly to total human DNA. The reactivity of dsDNA antibodies, both monoclonal and polyclonal, from SLE was examined with a cloned SLE antigen DNA. A competitive inhibition assay showed that human monoclonal antibodies had at least one magnitude higher affinity to the cloned DNA than to the native DNA fragments. In order to characterize the factors that were recognized by antibodies, human G + C-rich and also A + T-rich 100 bp DNA fragments were cloned, and their base sequences determined. The antibody showed a higher affinity to the G + C-rich DNA fragment (71% G + C) than to the A + T-rich DNA fragment (46% G + C). When cytosines in CpG doublets in G + C-rich fragments were methylated (mCpG), the reactivity increased up to 100-fold. The native anti-DNA antibodies from SLE patients also showed preferential binding to G + C-rich fragments. These observations suggested that human anti-dsDNA antibodies may recognize some unique structures around the G + C regions or G + C clusters of DNA.

Transverse alternating field electrophoresis and applications to mammalian genome mapping

The transverse alternating field electrophoresis system is a pulsed field gel apparatus that has been used to separate DNA molecules that range in size from a few thousand to approximately 7 million base pairs. This apparatus uses a vertical gel and a simple electrode arrangement to produce electric fields that are uniform across all lanes of the gel. The velocity of identical molecules does not vary from lane to lane, and hence there is no distortion in the paths of the DNA. The performance of this system is illustrated here using the chromosomes from S. pombe and S. cerevisiae, and restriction enzyme digested mammalian DNA. The mobility of molecules up to 1100 kilobase pairs is linear with size and can be accomplished in overnight runs. Resolution of very large molecules requires electrophoresis for several days, but molecules from 200 to 7000 kilobase pairs can be separated on a single gel. This electrophoresis system has been used extensively in the construction of a physical map of human chromosome 21, and examples of this application are discussed.

Demethylation enhances removal of pyrimidine dimers from the overall genome and from specific DNA sequences in Chinese hamster ovary cells

We have examined the effects of changes in cytosine methylation on DNA repair in UV-irradiated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. A hypomethylated derivative of the CHO K1B11 line, B11aza, was established by passaging B11 cells over several months in increasing concentrations of 5-azacytidine; greater than 60% demethylation was consistently demonstrated in these conditioned cells. Following a UV dose of 10 J/m2, the amount of repair replication performed within 24 h was approximately twofold higher in B11aza cells than in control B11 cells. Removal of T4 endonuclease V-sensitive sites (ESS) from specific restriction fragments within and around the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene was then examined in B11aza cells and compared with that in B11 cells. Although demethylation had little or no effect on repair in the 5' half of the DHFR gene, within a nontranscribed sequence immediately downstream from the gene, or within an extragenic region further downstream from the DHFR gene, significant increases in repair were observed at the 3' end of the DHFR gene and within an extragenic region upstream of the DHFR gene. However, the increases in DNA repair were not accompanied by any changes in overall cellular resistance to UV when colony-forming ability was assayed. We suggest that the level of DNA methylation may play an indirect role in the regulation of DNA repair, perhaps through an effect on chromatin structure or transcriptional activity.