Growth of the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica in 5-azacytidine has limited effects on parasite gene expression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In higher eukaryotes DNA methylation regulates important biological functions including silencing of gene expression and protection from adverse effects of retrotransposons. In the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, a DNA methyltransferase has been identified and treatment with 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC), a potent inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, has been reported to attenuate parasite virulence. However, the overall extent of DNA methylation and its subsequent effects on global gene expression in this parasite are currently unknown.

Results

In order to identify the genome-wide effects of DNA methylation in E. histolytica, we used a short oligonucleotide microarray representing 9,435 genes (approximately 95% of all annotated amebic genes) and compared the ex

SUBMITTER: Ali IK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1779778 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature