Epigenetic alterations at genomic loci modified by gene targeting in Arabidopsis thaliana.

ABSTRACT: Gene Targeting (GT) is the integration of an introduced vector into a specific chromosomal site, via homologous recombination. It is considered an effective tool for precise genome editing, with far-reaching implications in biological research and biotechnology, and is widely used in mice, with the potential of becoming routine in many species. Nevertheless, the epigenetic status of the targeted allele remains largely unexplored. Using GT-modified lines of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, we show that the DNA methylation profile of the targeted locus is changed following GT. This effect is non-directional as methylation can be either completely lost, maintained with minor alterations or show instability in the generations subsequent to GT. As DNA methylation is known to be involved in

SUBMITTER: Lieberman-Lazarovich M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3873452 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature