Abstract
Imprinted genes are an exceptional cluster of genes which are expressed in a parent-of-origin dependent fashion. This allele-specific expression is dependent on differential DNA methylation which is established in the parental germlines in a sex-specific manner. The DNA methylation imprint is accompanied by heterochromatin modifications which must be continuously maintained through development. This review summarises the factors which are important for protecting the epigenetic modifications at imprinted differentially methylated regions (DMRs), including PGC7, ZFP57 and the ATRX/Daxx/H3.3 complex. We discuss how these factors maintain heterochromatin silencing, not only at imprinted DMRs, but also other heterochromatic regions in the genome.
Keywords:
ATRX; Daxx; Genomic imprinting; H3.3; Heterochromatin; PGC7; Zfp57.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
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Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
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Co-Repressor Proteins
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DNA Helicases / genetics
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DNA Helicases / metabolism
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DNA Methylation
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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Gene Silencing*
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Genomic Imprinting*
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Heterochromatin / metabolism
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Histones / genetics
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Histones / metabolism
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Humans
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Molecular Chaperones
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Nuclear Proteins / genetics
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
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Proteins / genetics
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Proteins / metabolism
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Repressor Proteins
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
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X-linked Nuclear Protein
Substances
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
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Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
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Co-Repressor Proteins
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DAXX protein, human
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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DPPA3 protein, human
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Heterochromatin
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Histones
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Molecular Chaperones
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Nuclear Proteins
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Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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ZFP57 protein, human
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DNA Helicases
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ATRX protein, human
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X-linked Nuclear Protein