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Molecular and Cellular Biology, October 2002, p. 6689-6696, Vol. 22, No. 19
0270-7306/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/MCB.22.19.6689-6696.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

DNA Methylation Has a Local Effect on Transcription and Histone Acetylation

Ryan A. Irvine, Iping G. Lin, and Chih-Lin Hsieh*

Department of Urology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California-Norris Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California 90033

Received 23 April 2002/ Returned for modification 20 June 2002/ Accepted 2 July 2002

DNA methylation is commonly associated with gene silencing, and a link between histone deacetylation and DNA methylation has been established. However, the transcriptional impact of the position and length of methylated zones relative to the promoter and the coding region of a gene remains quite unclear. This study investigates the impact of regional methylation on transcription and the relationship between DNA methylation and histone acetylation. Using patch-methylated stable episomes in human cells, we establish the pivotal importance of the location of DNA methylation in the regulation of transcription. We further demonstrate that the size of the methylated patch is not a key determinant for transcriptional suppression. The impact of DNA methylation on transcription is greater when it is in the transcription unit, and it is primarily a local effect. However, methylation outside of the transcription unit may potentiate the effect of methylation within the transcription unit. Acetylated histones are associated with unmethylated DNA and are nearly absent from methylated DNA regions. This association appears to be local and does not propagate along the DNA.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Urology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave., Rm. 5420, Norris Cancer Center, Mail Stop #73, Los Angeles, CA 90033. Phone: (323) 865-0567. Fax: (323) 865-3019. E-mail: hsieh_c{at}ccnt.hsc.usc.edu.

Molecular and Cellular Biology, October 2002, p. 6689-6696, Vol. 22, No. 19
0022-538X/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/MCB.22.19.6689-6696.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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