Abundant DNA 6mA methylation during early embryogenesis of zebrafish and pig.

Liu, Jianzhao; Zhu, Yuanxiang; Luo, Guan-Zheng; Wang, Xinxia; Yue, Yanan; Wang, Xiaona; Zong, Xin; Chen, Kai et al. · Nat Commun · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

DNA N<sup>6</sup>-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) is a well-known prokaryotic DNA modification that has been shown to exist and play epigenetic roles in eukaryotic DNA. Here we report that 6mA accumulates up to ∼0.1-0.2% of total deoxyadenosine during early embryogenesis of vertebrates, but diminishes to the background level with the progression of the embryo development. During this process a large fraction of 6mAs locate in repetitive regions of the genome.

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