What is it about?
This study was focused on interrogating the function of various sex specific isoforms of a vital developmental gene, Dnmt3L. The DNA Methyltransferase 3-Like (Dnmt3L) protein is a crucial cofactor in the germ line for the de novo methyltransferase Dnmt3a, which establishes imprints and represses transposable genetic elements, largely through methylating DNA. DNA methylation plays a crucial role in transcriptionally repressing certain classes of developmentally important genes, including imprinted genes.
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Why is it important?
Highlights - The Dnmt3L protein is required for DNA methylation in germ cells - Dnmt3L has three promoters, active in stem cells (Dnmt3Ls), adult testis (Dnmt3Lat) or oocytes (Dnmt3Lo) - Switching to Dnmt3Lat shuts down protein production in adult testis - Dnmt3Lo and Dnmt3Ls both produce proteins - The Dnmt3Ls promoter is itself methylated in oocytes - Repression and methylation of Dnmt3Ls are lost in Dnmt3L-/- ovaries - Dnmt3Ls is shut down prior to the completion of imprinting in oocytes - This explains the requirement for Dnmt3Lo in oocytes
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This page is a summary of: DNA methylation plays an important role in promoter choice and protein production at the mouse Dnmt3L locus, Developmental Biology, August 2011, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.05.665.
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