Evolving imprinting control regions: KRAB zinc fingers hold the key
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Corresponding author: bartolom{at}pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Abstract
The monoallelic parent of origin-specific expression of imprinted genes in mammals is regulated by differentially DNA methylated imprinting control regions (ICRs). In contrast to most of the genome, ICRs must maintain their DNA methylation and parental identity despite extensive epigenetic reprogramming that takes place after fertilization. Previous work demonstrated that the Krüppel-associated box (KRAB)-containing zinc finger protein (KZFP) ZFP57 protects select ICRs from demethylation and preserves parental identity. However, some loci are unaffected in Zfp57-null mice. Thus, it has been speculated that other KZFPs must be involved in this process. Takahashi and colleagues (pp. 49–54) now report one such KZFP: ZFP445.
Keywords
- KRAB zinc finger proteins
- ZFP445
- ZFP57
- genomic imprint maintenance
- resistance to epigenetic reprogramming
Footnotes
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Article is online at http://www.genesdev.org/cgi/doi/10.1101/gad.322990.118.
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