Project description:In this study, we interrogated the role of DNA methylation in HSPC generation by taking advantage of dnmt1 knockout/knockdown embryos in zebrafish. First, we generated a comprehensive DNA methylation landscape of EHT, which revealed gradually hypermethylated regions associated with vasculogenesis. Taking advantage of dnmt1-deficient embryos, we showed that the decreased DNA methylation blocked HSPC emergence. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that the decreased DNA methylation increased the expression of arterial genes and Notch signaling, thus contributing to defects in the EHT in dnmt1-deficient embryos. Herein, we identified that DNA methylation, as epigenetic regulator, participates in the negative modulation of Notch signaling through inhibiting transcription during HSPC generation in zebrafish.
