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HYPERMETHYLATION AT CPG‐MOTIFS IN THE DINOFLAGELLATES AMPHIDINIUM CARTERAE (DINOPHYCEAE) AND SYMBIODINIUM MICROADRIATICUM (DINOPHYCEAE): EVIDENCE FROM RESTRICTION ANALYSES, 5‐AZACYTIDINE AND ETHIONINE TREATMENT
Author(s) -
Lohuis Michael R.,
Miller David J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1998.340152.x
Subject(s) - biology , dinophyceae , dinoflagellate , isoschizomer , methylation , dna methylation , symbiodinium , cpg site , dna , restriction enzyme , methyltransferase , genetics , botany , gene , bacteria , symbiosis , ecology , gene expression , phytoplankton , nutrient
Because of their peculiar chromatin features and phylogenetic position, dinoflagellates are potentially uniquely informative with respect to possible roles and evolution of DNA methylation systems. Here we report that DNA from Amphidinium carterae Hulburt and Symbiodinium microadriaticum Freudenthal was not significantly digested by a range of CpG methylation‐sensitive endonucleases. Corresponding methylation‐insensitive isoschizomers cleaved all DNA preparations. Treatment with the methylation inhibitors 5‐azacytidine and ethionine resulted in major increases in digestibility of dinoflagellate DNA by CpG methylation‐sensitive enzymes. The 5‐azacytidine effect was not confined to heterochromatin. Our studies indicate that at least in some dinoflagellates, a high proportion of CpG motifs and a significant number of CpNpG motifs are normally methylated, implying methyltransferase substrate specificities similar to those of higher plants.