Examination of DNA methyltransferase expression in cloned embryos reveals an essential role for Dnmt1 in bovine development.

ABSTRACT: In studies of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the ability of factors within the oocyte to epigenetically reprogram transferred nuclei is essential for embryonic development of the clone to proceed. However, irregular patterns of X-chromosome inactivation, abnormal expression of imprinted genes, and genomic DNA hypermethylation are frequently observed in reconstructed embryos, suggesting abnormalities in this process. To better understand the epigenetic events underlying SCNT reprogramming, we sought to determine if the abnormal DNA methylation levels observed in cloned embryos result from a failure of the oocyte to properly reprogram transcription versus differential biochemical regulation of the DNA methyltransferase family of enzymes (DNMTs) between embryonic and somatic nuclei. To

SUBMITTER: Golding MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3095725 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature