Features and mechanisms of canonical and noncanonical genomic imprinting

Genes Dev. 2021 Jun;35(11-12):821-834. doi: 10.1101/gad.348422.121.

Abstract

Genomic imprinting is the monoallelic expression of a gene based on parent of origin and is a consequence of differential epigenetic marking between the male and female germlines. Canonically, genomic imprinting is mediated by allelic DNA methylation. However, recently it has been shown that maternal H3K27me3 can result in DNA methylation-independent imprinting, termed "noncanonical imprinting." In this review, we compare and contrast what is currently known about the underlying mechanisms, the role of endogenous retroviral elements, and the conservation of canonical and noncanonical genomic imprinting.

Keywords: DNA methylation; chromatin; endogenous retroviruses; epigenetics; genomic imprinting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA Methylation
  • Epigenomics
  • Genomic Imprinting / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Retroelements / genetics

Substances

  • Retroelements