DNA methylation dictates histone modifications in developing male germ cells in the mouse.

ABSTRACT: In the male germline of mammals, retrotransposon expression is restricted by DNA methylation, trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3), and PIWI-interacting small RNAs (piRNAs). To elucidate their relative importance in regulating retrotransposons during germ cell development and the relationships between these mechanisms, we performed mRNA sequencing, DNA methylation, and histone methylation analyses using mouse spermatogonia from Dnmt3l and Pld6 mutants deficient in de novo DNA methylation and piRNA production, respectively. The results revealed that loss of DNA methylation resulted in decreased H3K9me3 in young L1 subfamilies and increased H3K4me3 in many retrotransposons, suggesting a pivotal role of DNA methylation in maintaining epigenomic integrity in spermatogonia and lat

SUBMITTER: Sugimoto H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12631079 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature