DNA methylation in peripheral blood cells of pigs cloned by somatic cell nuclear transfer

Cell Reprogram. 2011 Aug;13(4):307-14. doi: 10.1089/cell.2010.0099. Epub 2011 May 20.

Abstract

To date, the genome-wide DNA methylation status of cloned pigs has not been investigated. Due to the relatively low success rate of pig cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer, a better understanding of the epigenetic reprogramming and the global methylation patterns associated with development in cloned pigs is required. In this study we applied methylation-specific digital karyotyping tag sequencing by Solexa technology and investigated the genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of peripheral blood cells in cloned pigs with normal phenotypes in comparison with their naturally bred controls. In the result, we found that globally there was no significant difference of DNA methylation patterns between the two groups. Locus-specifically, some genes involved in embryonic development presented a generally increased level of methylation. Our findings suggest that in cloned pigs with normal phenotypes, the DNA methylation pattern is quite normal, and that DNA methylation changes in some genomic regions are compatible with normal development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Cells / physiology*
  • Cloning, Organism*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Female
  • Nuclear Transfer Techniques*
  • Pregnancy
  • Swine