Functional DNA demethylation is accompanied by chromatin accessibility.

ABSTRACT: DNA methylation inhibitors such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) are currently used for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. Although global DNA demethylation has been observed after treatment, it is unclear to what extent demethylation induces changes in nucleosome occupancy, a key determinant of gene expression. We use the colorectal cancer cell line HCT116 as a model to address this question and determine that <2% of regions demethylated by 5-Aza-CdR treatment assume an open configuration. Consolidating our findings, we detect nucleosome retention at sites of global DNA methylation loss in DKO1, an HCT116-derived non-tumorigenic cell-line engineered for DNA methyltransferase disruption. Notably, regions that are open in both HCT116 cells after treatment and in DKO1 cells incl

SUBMITTER: Pandiyan K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3627572 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature