Chromatin structure of endogenous retroviral genes and activation by an inhibitor of DNA methylation

Nature. 1981 Jul 23;292(5821):311-7. doi: 10.1038/292311a0.

Abstract

The transcriptionally active ev-3 and inactive ev-1 endogenous retrovirus loci in chick cells differ in that ev-3 is undermethylated, preferentially sensitive to DNase I digestion, and contains nuclease hypersensitive sites in each of its two long terminal repeats. Transient exposure of cells to 5-azacytidine, a cytosine analogue which cannot be methylated at the 5 position, results in the hypomethylation and transcriptional activation of ev-1, as well as the acquisition of at least one nuclease-hypersensitive site within the chromosomal domain of ev-1.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Azacitidine / pharmacology
  • Cell Transformation, Viral*
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chromatin / drug effects
  • Chromatin / ultrastructure*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes
  • Deoxyribonuclease I
  • Deoxyribonucleases
  • Endonucleases
  • Methylation
  • Retroviridae / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • DNA
  • Deoxyribonucleases
  • Endonucleases
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes
  • Deoxyribonuclease I
  • Azacitidine