Epigenetic features of mammalian mitochondrial DNA
Description: While cytosine methylation in nuclear DNA in human and other mammals is known to play important roles, whether mitochondrial DNA, which is contained in mitochondria, receives the modification or not remains controversial. It could have profound impact on gene expression and maintenance of mitochondrial DNA, and abnormalities in mitochondrial DNA methylation might well be a cause of disease with mitochondrial dysfunction. Investigation of mitochondrial DNA methylation is thus of pivotal importance. In this research project, thorough analysis of mtDNA from mouse tissues and cultured embryonic stem cells was conducted using three methods. Data from the analysis led to a proposal that the 5-methylcytosine is not present at any specific position(s) in mitochondrial DNA and levels of the methylated cytosine are fairly low, provided the modification occurs. We therefore propose it is unlikely that 5mC plays a universal role in the gene expression or metabolism of mitochondrial DNA.
Amount: ¥4,940,000
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2020-03-31
Investigator: Takehiro Yasukawa
Institution: Kyushu University
Funded outputs count: 6
Funder award ID: 17K07504
OpenAlex ID: G6136553623