Transition of LINE-1 DNA methylation status and altered expression in first and third trimester placentas.

ABSTRACT: DNA methylation plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression, genomic DNA stability, cell proliferation, and malignant transformation. Common cellular features including fast tissue expansion, invasive growth, and active angiogenesis, have been noticed between placental development and tumorigenesis by many investigators. While the DNA hypomethylation and transcriptional activation of LINE-1 has been found to be a feature of tumorigenesis, it is not clear if similar changes could be involved in placental development. In this study, we assessed LINE-1 methylation in human placentas from different gestational ages and observed a significant decrease of LINE-1 methylation levels in third trimester placentas compared to first trimester placentas. Accompanying with this change is

SUBMITTER: He ZM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4018393 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature