Large-scale identification and mapping of nuclear matrix-attachment regions in the distal imprinted domain of mouse chromosome 7

DNA Res. 2004 Dec 31;11(6):391-407. doi: 10.1093/dnares/11.6.391.

Abstract

Mammalian imprinted genes, which are expressed from only one of the parental alleles, have a tendency to form clusters and are regulated by long-range mechanisms. Nuclear matrix-attachment regions (MARs), the anchor points of loop domains, are involved in coordination of gene expression and could play a role in regulation of imprinted domains. We have identified and mapped a total of 52 MARs in a 1-Mb imprinted domain on mouse distal chromosome 7 using our cosmid contigs and an in vitro MAR assay. We find two MAR clusters (comprising 20 and 19 MARs), one of which is mapped in the Th-Ins2 intergenic region, coincident with the boundary between the two imprinted subdomains. However, the imprinted/non-imprinted boundaries are not associated with a MAR. Based on the sequence information, we find that many of the MARs are rich in long interspersed nuclear elements. In addition, comparisons of the results obtained with several MAR-prediction software programs reveal good performance of ChrClass in terms of both sensitivity and specificity. This study presents the first large-scale mapping of MARs in an imprinted domain and provides a platform for understanding the roles of MARs in imprinting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Computer Simulation
  • Contig Mapping
  • Cosmids / genetics
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genomic Imprinting*
  • Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements
  • Matrix Attachment Regions / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family
  • Nuclear Matrix / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Software

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AC012540
  • GENBANK/AJ251788
  • GENBANK/AJ271885
  • GENBANK/AJ276505
  • GENBANK/AP001287
  • GENBANK/AP001295
  • GENBANK/AP002736
  • GENBANK/AP003145
  • GENBANK/AP003146
  • GENBANK/AP003182
  • GENBANK/AP003183
  • GENBANK/AP003184