A genome-wide screen in human embryonic stem cells reveals novel sites of allele-specific histone modification associated with known disease loci.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chromatin structure at a given site can differ between chromosome copies in a cell, and such imbalances in chromatin structure have been shown to be important in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling several disease loci. Human genetic variation, DNA methylation, and disease have been intensely studied, uncovering many sites of allele-specific DNA methylation (ASM). However, little is known about the genome-wide occurrence of sites of allele-specific histone modification (ASHM) and their relationship to human disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent and characteristics of sites of ASHM in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

Results

Using a statistically rigorous protocol, we investigated the genomic distribution of ASHM in hESCs, a

SUBMITTER: Prendergast JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3438052 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature