Epigenetic label on DNA controls can decide the fate of cells

Epigenetic modification is a kind of important regulatory mechanisms without changing DNA sequence. Epigenetic label on DNA controls the switch of genes and can decide the fate of cells. Currently-known DNA modifications are accidentally discovered by scientists.

MIT and the University of Florida researchers recently developed a systematic approach to exploring the unknown DNA modification, and published in the PNAS journal PNAS on 29 February. "We have developed a technology platform to discover new nucleic acid modification," Peter Dedon MIT professor of Road.

Researchers used bioanalytical chemistry, comparative genomics and long read sequencing combined in bacteria and found a new DNA modification. Such modification can help bacteria resist the invaders, to protect their genome. Dedon and his colleagues believe, bacteria and viruses, there should be a variety of unknown DNA modification, which is expected to become a new tool for new targets antibiotics or genetic engineering.

Braid queuosine and Old purine archeosine are two RNA modified microorganisms, and they come from a common precursor --preQ0. University of Florida professor Valérie de Crécy-Lagard had examined the RNA required for gene modification. Through comparative genomics, she found that many bacteria DNA may also have such modifications. Researchers confirmed by mass spectrometry, DNA of these bacteria do carry similar preQ0 structure. They named this DNA modification dADG.

Studies have shown that these bacteria dADG modification is part of the defense system. There is no invasion of virus DNA such modifications, will be degraded to produce bacterial restriction enzyme. Dedon and de Crécy-Lagard other bacteria are exploring other features dADG epigenetic modification.

The researchers used a single molecule real time sequencing (SMRT) technology dADG modifications were analyzed. SMRT sequencing of DNA modification in the face will produce a signal "to adjust the software will be able to obtain the correct signal to understand DNA modification in what position in the genome," Dedon said. "This technology can locate the full genomic DNA modification." The study will SMRT sequencing, comparative genomics and biochemical analysis combine to provide people with the search for and identification of new DNA modification an effective way.

In recent years, especially Epigenetics DNA methylation research has aroused great enthusiasm. With the help of the chip and second-generation sequencing technology, the researchers detected by epigenetic state of the genome, worthy of further study identified a large number of methylated regions. How should these areas be further studied or how to verify it? A large number of samples for genome-wide scan clearly unrealistic and cost of doing so is too high. In fact, there is no need for some areas to detect whole genome DNA, tools described in this article is sufficient to accomplish this task.

N6-methyladenine (6mA) is a widely exists in prokaryotes methylation bases, mainly play a role in host defense system. Recently, scientists have found 6mA also more common in eukaryotes, and undertake the important biological functions. Professor He Chuan Shi Yang, a professor at Harvard University and the University of Chicago published an article in the authoritative journal Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, reviewed the research progress recently achieved in eukaryotes 6mA. This article shows the detection 6mA for people in the genome of a variety of methods, such as within specific antibodies and 6mA sensitive restriction enzyme. In addition, the article also describes mediated 6mA of DNA methyltransferase and demethylase.

Human life can be said to be an ongoing process to make a choice, such as deciding whether to go on a diet, exercise or smoking. These choices will bring our life with better or bad influence, but scientists still know little about the molecular mechanisms. University of Edinburgh research team published an article pointed out, a large map of the lifestyle and environment affect methylation, methylation patterns can actually predict the death of the journal Genome biology. They take methylation patter as an epigenetic clock of measuring physiological status, which determines every individual's life span.

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