DNA methylation in ciliatesimplications in differentiation processes
- Juan Carlos Gutiérrez 1
- Sergio Callejas 1
- Sara Borniquel 1
- Ana Martín González 1
- 1 Department of Microbiology-III, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
ISSN: 1618-1905
Year of publication: 2000
Volume: 3
Issue: 3
Pages: 139-146
Type: Article
More publications in: International microbiology: official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology
Abstract
Much experimental evidence on the role of DNA methylation in gene expression has been reported. Here we review reports on DNA methylation in ciliated protozoa, emphasizing its implications in cell differentiation processes. Both types of methylated bases (adenine and cytosine) can be found in macronuclear DNA. The division cycle and conjugation have been studied with regard to adenine methylation, and several different functions have been assigned to the methylation changes detected in these processes. Cytosine methylation changes were analyzed during stomatogenesis of Paramecium and encystment of Colpoda inflata. A comparative analysis with other similar microbial eukaryotic differentiation processes is carried out.