Click here to close Hello! We notice that you are using Internet Explorer, which is not supported by Xenbase and may cause the site to display incorrectly. We suggest using a current version of Chrome, FireFox, or Safari.
XB-ART-30237
Cell 1983 May 01;331:43-51.
Show Gene links Show Anatomy links

In contrast to other Xenopus genes the estrogen-inducible vitellogenin genes are expressed when totally methylated.

Gerber-Huber S , May FE , Westley BR , Felber BK , Hosbach HA , Andres AC , Ryffel GU .


???displayArticle.abstract???
The methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes Hha I and Hpa II were used to analyze the methylation pattern of four Xenopus laevis genes in DNA of embryos, of erythrocytes, and of untreated and estrogen-treated hepatocytes. Within these four genes all sites tested are fully modified in embryonic DNA. However, the adult beta 1-globin gene is unmethylated in DNA of erythrocytes, where it is expressed, and the 68 kd albumin gene, active only in hepatocytes, is specifically hypomethylated in hepatic DNA. The vitellogenin genes A1 and A2, in hepatocytes simultaneously expressed upon estrogen treatment, are heavily methylated in all adult tissues, irrespective of expression. Our results reveal that specific genes can be actively transcribed even when they are fully methylated and that changes in the methylation pattern are not a general prerequisite for gene activation.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 6088055
???displayArticle.link??? Cell


Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: hpse