Zebrafish preserve global germline DNA methylation while sex-linked rDNA is amplified and demethylated during feminisation.

ABSTRACT: The germline is the only cellular lineage capable of transferring genetic information from one generation to the next. Intergenerational transmission of epigenetic memory through the germline, in the form of DNA methylation, has been proposed; however, in mammals this is largely prevented by extensive epigenetic erasure during germline definition. Here we report that, unlike mammals, the continuously-defined 'preformed' germline of zebrafish does not undergo genome-wide erasure of DNA methylation during development. Our analysis also uncovers oocyte-specific germline amplification and demethylation of an 11.5-kb repeat region encoding 45S ribosomal RNA (fem-rDNA). The peak of fem-rDNA amplification coincides with the initial expansion of stage IB oocytes, the poly-nucleolar cell type respo

SUBMITTER: Ortega-Recalde O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6635516 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature