G9a/GLP Complex Maintains Imprinted DNA Methylation in Embryonic Stem Cells

Tuo Zhang, Ausma Termanis, Burak Özkan, Xun X Bao, Jayne Culley, Flavia de Lima Alves, Juri Rappsilber, Bernard Ramsahoye, Irina Stancheva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

DNA methylation at imprinting control regions (ICRs) is established in gametes in a sex-specific manner and has to be stably maintained during development and in somatic cells to ensure the correct monoallelic expression of imprinted genes. In addition to DNA methylation, the ICRs are marked by allele-specific histone modifications. Whether these marks are essential for maintenance of genomic imprinting is largely unclear. Here, we show that the histone H3 lysine 9 methylases G9a and GLP are required for stable maintenance of imprinted DNA methylation in embryonic stem cells; however, their catalytic activity and the G9a/GLP-dependent H3K9me2 mark are completely dispensable for imprinting maintenance despite the genome-wide loss of non-imprinted DNA methylation in H3K9me2-depleted cells. We provide additional evidence that the G9a/GLP complex protects imprinted DNA methylation by recruitment of de novo DNA methyltransferases, which antagonize TET dioxygenass-dependent erosion of DNA methylation at ICRs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-85
Number of pages9
JournalCell Reports
Volume15
Issue number1
Early online date24 Mar 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'G9a/GLP Complex Maintains Imprinted DNA Methylation in Embryonic Stem Cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this