DNA methylation and epigenetic inheritance in plants and filamentous fungi

Science. 2001 Aug 10;293(5532):1070-4. doi: 10.1126/science.293.5532.1070.

Abstract

Plants and filamentous fungi share with mammals enzymes responsible for DNA methylation. In these organisms, DNA methylation is associated with gene silencing and transposon control. However, plants and fungi differ from mammals in the genomic distribution, sequence specificity, and heritability of methylation. We consider the role that transposons play in establishing methylation patterns and the epigenetic consequences of their perturbation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • DNA Methylation*
  • DNA Modification Methylases / metabolism
  • DNA Transposable Elements*
  • Fungi / enzymology
  • Fungi / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genetic Variation
  • Mutation
  • Plants / enzymology
  • Plants / genetics*
  • RNA, Antisense / genetics
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • RNA, Antisense
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • DNA Modification Methylases