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DNA G‐quadruplexes show strong interaction with DNA methyltransferases in vitro
Author(s) -
Cree Simone L.,
Fredericks Rayleen,
Miller Allison,
Pearce F. Grant,
Filichev Vyacheslav,
Fee Conan,
Kennedy Martin A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.12331
Subject(s) - dna methylation , methyltransferase , dna methyltransferase , epigenetics , dnmt1 , biology , dna , methylation , recombinant dna , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , gene expression
The DNA methyltransferase enzymes ( DNMT s) catalyzing cytosine methylation do so at specific locations of the genome, although with some level of redundancy. The de novo methyltransferases DNMT 3A and 3B play a vital role in methylating the genome of the developing embryo in regions devoid of methylation marks. The ability of DNMT s to colocalize at sites of DNA damage is suggestive that recognition of mispaired bases and unusual structures is inherent to the function of these proteins. We provide evidence for G‐quadruplex formation within imprinted gene promoters, and report high‐affinity binding of recombinant human DNMT s to such DNA G‐quadruplexes in vitro . These observations suggest a potential interaction of G‐quadruplexes with the DNA methylation machinery, which may be of epigenetic and biological significance.