Abstract
Understanding the effect of DNA methylation requires an appreciation of the determinants responsible for gene expression. To this end, we and others have demonstrated the exquisite silencing properties of methylation-dependent repressors that belong to the methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) protein family. It is crucial, to establish a direct connection between the remodelling events observed with the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1) promoter if we are to understand the mechanism of control. In this paper contrasting but not mutually exclusive models are discussed, which conceptually and experimentally reflects an appreciation of the surrounding chromatin environment. Examining general transcription systems controlled by DNA methylation, proteins that recognize the methyl-CpG moiety and the enzyme that maintains methylation, a unified model of FMR1 gene silencing are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 575-581 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications |
| Volume | 295 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1)
- Methyl-CpG binding protein (MBD)
- Methylation
- Transcriptional repression