Abstract

DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic process in mammals, intimately involved in gene regulation. Here we address the extent to which genetics, sex, and pregnancy influence genomic DNA methylation by intercrossing 2 inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN, and analyzing DNA methylation in parents and offspring using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. Differential methylation across genotype is detected at thousands of loci and is preserved on parental alleles in offspring. In comparison of autosomal DNA methylation patterns across sex, hundreds of differentially methylated regions are detected. Comparison of animals with different histories of pregnancy within our study reveals a CpG methylation pattern that is restricted to female animals that had borne offspring. Collectively, our results demonstrate the stability of CpG methylation across generations, clarify the interplay of epigenetics with genetics and sex, and suggest that CpG methylation may serve as an epigenetic record of life events in somatic tissues at loci whose expression is linked to the relevant biology.

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark involved in gene regulation. Here the authors investigate the extent to which genetics, sex and pregnancy influence genomic DNA methylation in mice, providing evidence of the stability of CpG methylation across generation and suggest that CpG methylation may serve as an epigenetic record of life events in somatic tissues at loci whose expression is linked to the relevant biology.

Details

Title
DNA methylation in mice is influenced by genetics as well as sex and life experience
Author
Grimm, Sara A 1 ; Shimbo Takashi 1 ; Takaku Motoki 1 ; Thomas, James W 2 ; Auerbach, Scott 3 ; Bennett, Brian D 1 ; Bucher, John R 3 ; Burkholder, Adam B 1 ; Day, Frank 1 ; Du, Ying 1 ; Duncan, Christopher G 1 ; French, John E 3 ; Foley, Julie F 3 ; Li, Jianying 1 ; Alex, Merrick B 3 ; Tice, Raymond R 3 ; Wang, Tianyuan 1 ; Xu, Xiaojiang 1 ; Barnabas, Beatrice B 2 ; Bouffard, Gerard G 2 ; Brooks, Shelise Y 2 ; Coleman, Holly 2 ; Dekhtyar Lyudmila 2 ; Guan Xiaobin 2 ; Han, Joel 2 ; Shi-ling, Ho 2 ; Legaspi Richelle 2 ; Maduro, Quino L 2 ; Masiello, Catherine A 2 ; McDowell, Jennifer C 2 ; Montemayor Cassandra 2 ; Park, Morgan 2 ; Riebow, Nancy L 2 ; Schandler, Karen 2 ; Scharer Chanthra 2 ; Schmidt, Brian 2 ; Sison, Christina 2 ; Sirintorn, Stantripop 2 ; Thomas, Pamela J 2 ; Vemulapalli Meghana 2 ; Young, Alice C 2 ; Bushel, Pierre R 1 ; Fargo, David C 1 ; Mullikin, James C 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Wade, Paul A 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

1  Division of Intramural Research, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, USA (GRID:grid.280664.e) (ISNI:0000 0001 2110 5790) 
2  National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH Intramural Sequencing Center, Rockville, USA (GRID:grid.280128.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 2233 9230) 
3  National Toxicology Program, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, USA (GRID:grid.280664.e) (ISNI:0000 0001 2110 5790) 
Publication year
2019
Publication date
Jan 2019
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20411723
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-08067-z
ProQuest document ID
2168507444
Copyright
This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.