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Regulation beyond genome sequences: DNA and histone methylation in embryonic stem cells

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Frontiers in Biology

Abstract

Embryonic stem (ES) cells distinct themselves from other cell type populations by their pluripotent ability. The unique features of ES cells are controlled by both genetic and epigenetic factors. Studies have shown that the methylation status of DNA and histones in ES cells is quite different from that of differentiated cells and somatic stem cells. Herein, we summarized recent advances in DNA and histone methylation studies of mammalian ES cells. The methylation status of several key pluripotent regulatory genes is also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Wei Yang & Xiu-Jie Wang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Qi Zhou

  3. Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Wei Yang

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  1. Wei Yang
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  2. Qi Zhou
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Correspondence to Qi Zhou or Xiu-Jie Wang.

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Yang, W., Zhou, Q. & Wang, XJ. Regulation beyond genome sequences: DNA and histone methylation in embryonic stem cells. Front. Biol. 5, 41–47 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-010-0006-9

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