Work

5-methylcytosine is localized in nucleosomes that contain histone H1.

Year: 1983

Type: article

Abstract: We have developed a procedure for purifying highly specific polyclonal antibodies against 5-methylcytosine. These antibodies were used to probe the distribution of 5-methylcytosine among fractionated nucleosomes of mouse cell chromatin. Our results demonstrate that at least 80% of the 5-methylcytosine is localized in nucleosomes that contain histone H1. Native nucleosomes that lack histone H1 or possess high mobility group proteins package DNA that is 1.6- to 2.3-fold undermethylated. We suggest that the preferential association of methylated sequences with histone H1 has functional significance because DNA methylation has been linked to gene inactivation and histone H1 is known to promote chromatin condensation.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.80.18.5490

Authors: D J Ball, D S Gross, W T Garrard

Institution: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Epigenetics and DNA Methylation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Welch Foundation, National Institutes of Health

OpenAlex ID: W2017472901

FWCI: 2.066

Cites: 38

Cited by: 96

Related to: 10