Epigenetic asymmetry of imprinted genes in plant gametes

Nat Genet. 2006 Aug;38(8):876-8. doi: 10.1038/ng1828. Epub 2006 Jul 2.

Abstract

Plant imprinted genes show parent-of-origin expression in seed endosperm, but little is known about the nature of parental imprints in gametes before fertilization. We show here that single differentially methylated regions (DMRs) correlate with allele-specific expression of two maternally expressed genes in the seed and that one DMR is differentially methylated between gametes. Thus, plants seem to have developed similar strategies as mammals to epigenetically mark imprinted genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CpG Islands
  • DNA Methylation
  • DNA, Plant / chemistry
  • DNA, Plant / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genomic Imprinting*
  • Germ Cells / metabolism
  • Plants / embryology
  • Plants / genetics*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Zea mays / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Plant