DNA甲基化与组蛋白修饰：协同作用使基因沉默

DNA methylation and histone modifications: teaming up to silence genes.

作者信息

Fuks François

机构信息

Free University of Brussels, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, 808 route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgium.

出版信息

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2005 Oct;15(5):490-5. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2005.08.002.

DOI:10.1016/j.gde.2005.08.002

PMID:16098738

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. Recent advances highlight an essential, intricate web of interactions among these processes, generating a self-reinforcing, self-perpetuating cycle of epigenetic events that lead to long-term transcriptional repression. Histone deacetylation and methylation at lysine 9 of H3 might also contribute to the establishment of DNA methylation patterns, a long-standing mystery in epigenetics. What's more, recent clues suggest a potential link between CpG methylation and other histone modifications. A complex picture is emerging in which DNA methylation and histone modifications work hand-in-hand as parts of an epigenetic program that integrates gene-silencing networks within the cell.

摘要

DNA甲基化、组蛋白去乙酰化以及组蛋白H3赖氨酸9位的甲基化是与染色质抑制状态相关的三种特征最为明确的共价修饰。最近的研究进展突显了这些过程之间存在着一个至关重要且错综复杂的相互作用网络，形成了一个自我强化、自我延续的表观遗传事件循环，从而导致长期的转录抑制。组蛋白去乙酰化以及H3赖氨酸9位的甲基化也可能有助于DNA甲基化模式的建立，这是表观遗传学中一个长期存在的谜题。此外，最近的线索表明CpG甲基化与其他组蛋白修饰之间存在潜在联系。一幅复杂的图景正在浮现，其中DNA甲基化和组蛋白修饰携手合作，作为一个表观遗传程序的组成部分，该程序整合了细胞内的基因沉默网络。