Lsh, a member of the SNF2 family, is required for genome-wide methylation

• Published in: Genes & development Vol. 15; no. 22; pp. 2940 - 2944
• Main Authors: Dennis, K, Fan, T, Geiman, T, Yan, Q, Muegge, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 15-11-2001
• Subjects: Animals; Blotting, Southern; Chromatin - metabolism; DNA Helicases; DNA Methylation; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - physiology; Genome; Genomic Imprinting; Genotype; Globins - metabolism; Isoenzymes - metabolism; Lsh gene; Mice; Multigene Family; Nuclear Proteins; Phosphoglycerate Kinase - metabolism; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Research Communication; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Tissue Distribution; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - physiology
• ISSN: 0890-9369; 1549-5477
• DOI: 10.1101/gad.929101

Methylation patterns of the mammalian genome are thought to be crucial for development. The precise mechanisms designating specific genomic loci for methylation are not known. Targeted deletion of Lsh results in perinatal lethality with a rather normal development. We report here, however, that Lsh(-/-) mice show substantial loss of methylation throughout the genome. The hypomethylated loci comprise repetitive elements and single copy genes. This suggests that global genomic methylation is not absolutely required for normal embryogenesis. Based on the similarity of Lsh to other SNF2 chromatin remodeling proteins, it suggests that alteration of chromatin affects global methylation patterns in mice.