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Identification, Characterization, and Heritability of Murine Metastable Epialleles: Implications for Non-genetic Inheritance.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Kazachenka, Anastasiya 
Bertozzi, Tessa M 
Sjoberg-Herrera, Marcela K 
Walker, Nic 
Gardner, Joseph 

Abstract

Generally repressed by epigenetic mechanisms, retrotransposons represent around 40% of the murine genome. At the Agouti viable yellow (Avy) locus, an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) of the intracisternal A particle (IAP) class retrotransposed upstream of the agouti coat-color locus, providing an alternative promoter that is variably DNA methylated in genetically identical individuals. This results in variable expressivity of coat color that is inherited transgenerationally. Here, a systematic genome-wide screen identifies multiple C57BL/6J murine IAPs with Avy epigenetic properties. Each exhibits a stable methylation state within an individual but varies between individuals. Only in rare instances do they act as promoters controlling adjacent gene expression. Their methylation state is locus-specific within an individual, and their flanking regions are enriched for CTCF. Variably methylated IAPs are reprogrammed after fertilization and re-established as variable loci in the next generation, indicating reconstruction of metastable epigenetic states and challenging the generalizability of non-genetic inheritance at these regions.

Description

Keywords

Agouti Signaling Protein, Animals, Binding Sites, CCCTC-Binding Factor, DNA Methylation, Epigenesis, Genetic, Genes, Intracisternal A-Particle, Genetic Loci, Genome, Genomic Instability, Heredity, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Protein Binding, Retroelements, Transcription, Genetic

Journal Title

Cell

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0092-8674
1097-4172

Volume Title

175

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/J001597/1)
Wellcome Trust (086838/Z/08/Z)
Wellcome Trust (095606/Z/11/Z)