N⁶-methyldeoxyadenosine directs nucleosome positioning in Tetrahymena DNA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

N⁶-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA or m⁶dA) was shown more than 40 years ago in simple eukaryotes. Recent studies revealed the presence of 6mA in more prevalent eukaryotes, even in vertebrates. However, functional characterizations have been limited.

Results

We use Tetrahymena thermophila as a model organism to examine the effects of 6mA on nucleosome positioning. Independent methods reveal the enrichment of 6mA near and after transcription start sites with a periodic pattern and anti-correlation relationship with the positions of nucleosomes. The distribution pattern can be recapitulated by in vitro nucleosome assembly on native Tetrahymena genomic DNA but not on DNA without 6mA. Model DNA containing artificially installed 6mA resists nucleosome a

SUBMITTER: Luo GZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6245762 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature