Epigenetic Nucleosomes: Alu Sequences and CG as Nucleosome Positioning Element

Alu sequences carry periodical pattern with CG dinucleotides (CpG) repeating every 31-32 bases. Similar distances are observed in distribution of DNA curvature in crystallized nucleosomes, at positions ±1.5 and ±4.5 periods of DNA from nucleosome DNA dyad. Since CG elements are also found to impart...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics 2008-08, Vol.26 (1), p.9-16
Main Authors: Salih, F., Salih, B., Kogan, S., Trifonov, E. N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alu Elements - genetics
Animals
Base Sequence
Chickens
Dinucleotide Repeats - genetics
Epigenesis, Genetic
Globins - genetics
Molecular Sequence Data
Nucleosomes - physiology
Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
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Summary:Alu sequences carry periodical pattern with CG dinucleotides (CpG) repeating every 31-32 bases. Similar distances are observed in distribution of DNA curvature in crystallized nucleosomes, at positions ±1.5 and ±4.5 periods of DNA from nucleosome DNA dyad. Since CG elements are also found to impart to nucleosomes higher stability when positioned at ±1.5 sites, it suggests that CG dinucleotides may play a role in modulation of the nucleosome strength when the CG elements are methylated. Thus, Alu sequences may harbor special epigenetic nucleosomes with methylation-dependent regulatory functions. Nucleosome DNA sequence probe is suggested to detect locations of such regulatory nucleosomes in the sequences.
ISSN:0739-1102
1538-0254
DOI:10.1080/07391102.2008.10507219