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Undetectable levels of N6‐methyl adenine in mouse DNA: Cloning and analysis of PRED28, a gene coding for a putative mammalian DNA adenine methyltransferase
Author(s) -
Ratel David,
Ravanat Jean-Luc,
Charles Marie-Pierre,
Platet Nadine,
Breuillaud Lionel,
Lunardi Joël,
Berger François,
Wion Didier
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.04.074
Subject(s) - dna , methyltransferase , dna methyltransferase , biology , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , recombinant dna , 5 methylcytosine , genomic dna , genome , rna , dna methylation , cloning (programming) , molecular cloning , genetics , biochemistry , methylation , gene expression , computer science , programming language
Three methylated bases, 5‐methylcytosine, N4‐methylcytosine and N6‐methyladenine (m6A), can be found in DNA. However, to date, only 5‐methylcytosine has been detected in mammalian genomes. To reinvestigate the presence of m6A in mammalian DNA, we used a highly sensitive method capable of detecting one N6‐methyldeoxyadenosine per million nucleosides. Our results suggest that the total mouse genome contains, if any, less than 10 3 m6A. Experiments were next performed on PRED28, a putative mammalian N6‐DNA methyltransferase. The murine PRED28 encodes two alternatively spliced RNA. However, although recombinant PRED28 proteins are found in the nucleus, no evidence for an adenine‐methyltransferase activity was detected.