Abstract
In zygotes, a global loss of DNA methylation occurs selectively in the paternal pronucleus before the first cell division, concomitantly with the appearance of modified forms of 5-methylcytosine. The adjacent maternal pronucleus and certain paternally-imprinted loci are protected from this process. Nakamura et al. recently clarified the molecular mechanism involved: PGC7/Stella/Dppa3 binds to dimethylated histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2), thereby blocking the activity of the Tet3 methylcytosine oxidase in the maternal genome as well as at certain imprinted loci in the paternal genome.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
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DNA Methylation*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Dioxygenases
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Embryo, Mammalian / embryology
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Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
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Embryonic Development
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Female
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Histones / genetics
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Histones / metabolism*
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Male
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Mice
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
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Zygote / cytology
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Zygote / metabolism*
Substances
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Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Dppa3 protein, mouse
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Histones
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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Dioxygenases
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Tet3 protein, mouse