Characterization of tissue-specific differential DNA methylation suggests distinct modes of positive and negative gene expression regulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

DNA methylation plays an important role in regulating gene expression during many biological processes. However, the mechanism of DNA-methylation-dependent gene regulation is not fully understood. Here, we explore two possible DNA methylation regulatory mechanisms with opposite modes of gene expression regulation.

Results

By comparing the genome-wide methylation and expression patterns in different tissues, we find that majority of tissue-specific differentially methylated regions (T-DMRs) are negatively correlated with expression of their associated genes (negative T-DMRs), consistent with the classical dogma that DNA methylation suppresses gene expression; however, a significant portion of T-DMRs are positively correlated with gene expression (positive T-DMRs).

SUBMITTER: Wan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4331481 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature