Epigenetic regulation of the honey bee transcriptome: unravelling the nature of methylated genes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epigenetic modification of DNA via methylation is one of the key inventions in eukaryotic evolution. It provides a source for the switching of gene activities, the maintenance of stable phenotypes and the integration of environmental and genomic signals. Although this process is widespread among eukaryotes, both the patterns of methylation and their relevant biological roles not only vary noticeably in different lineages, but often are poorly understood. In addition, the evolutionary origins of DNA methylation in multicellular organisms remain enigmatic. Here we used a new 'epigenetic' model, the social honey bee Apis mellifera, to gain insights into the significance of methylated genes.

Results

We combined microarray profiling of several tissues with genome-scale

SUBMITTER: Foret S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2768749 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature