Methylation of mosquito DNA

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1979 Jun 20;563(1):72-81. doi: 10.1016/0005-2787(79)90008-x.

Abstract

Cells of the mosquito Aedes albopictus have 5.6 pg DNA/cell. This DNA is 58 mol% (A + T) and has about 0.03 mol% each of 5-methylcytosine and 6-methylaminopurine. The DNA is largely degraded by the restriction enzyme HpaII showing the virtual absence of the sequence CMeCGG. Small amounts of enzymic activity recovered largely in non-nuclear fractions transfer methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to cytosine and adenine.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / enzymology*
  • Animals
  • Base Composition
  • Centrifugation, Density Gradient
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Methyltransferases
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes