Article abstract
Nature Genetics 39, 61 - 69 (2006)
Published online: 26 November 2006 | doi:10.1038/ng1929
Genome-wide analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana DNA methylation uncovers an interdependence between methylation and transcription
Daniel Zilberman1, Mary Gehring1,2, Robert K Tran1,2,3, Tracy Ballinger1,2 & Steven Henikoff1,2
Abstract
Cytosine methylation, a common form of DNA modification that antagonizes transcription, is found at transposons and repeats in vertebrates, plants and fungi. Here we have mapped DNA methylation in the entire Arabidopsis thaliana genome at high resolution. DNA methylation covers transposons and is present within a large fraction of A. thaliana genes. Methylation within genes is conspicuously biased away from gene ends, suggesting a dependence on RNA polymerase transit. Genic methylation is strongly influenced by transcription: moderately transcribed genes are most likely to be methylated, whereas genes at either extreme are least likely. In turn, transcription is influenced by methylation: short methylated genes are poorly expressed, and loss of methylation in the body of a gene leads to enhanced transcription. Our results indicate that genic transcription and DNA methylation are closely interwoven processes.
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
- Present address: University of California Davis Genome Center, 451 E. Health Sciences Drive, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Correspondence to: Steven Henikoff1,2 e-mail: steveh@fhcrc.org
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