Human Molecular Genetics Advance Access originally published online on September 14, 2004
Human Molecular Genetics 2004 13(22):2767-2779; doi:10.1093/hmg/ddh290
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Human Molecular Genetics, Vol. 13, No. 22 © Oxford University Press 2004; all rights reserved
Establishing the epigenetic status of the PraderWilli/Angelman imprinting center in the gametes and embryo


Department of Cellular Biochemistry and Human Genetics, The Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
Received July 7, 2004; Revised August 3, 2004; Accepted August 25, 2004
The PraderWilli/Angelman imprinted domain on human chromosome 15q11q13 is regulated by an imprinting control center (IC) composed of a sequence around the SNRPN promoter (PWS-SRO) and a sequence located 35 kb upstream (AS-SRO). We have previously hypothesized that the primary imprint is established on AS-SRO, which then confers imprinting on PWS-SRO. Here we examine this hypothesis using a transgene that includes both AS-SRO and PWS-SRO sequences and carries out the entire imprinting process. The epigenetic features of this transgene resemble those previously observed on the endogenous locus, thus allowing analyses in the gametes and early embryo. We demonstrate that the primary imprint is in fact established in the gametes, creating a differentially methylated CpG cluster (DMR) on AS-SRO, presumably by an adjacent de novo signal (DNS). The DMR and DNS bind specific proteins: an allele-discrimination protein (ADP) and a de novo methylation protein, respectively. ADP, being a maternal protein, is involved in both the establishment of DMR in the gametes and in its maintenance through implantation when methylation of PWS-SRO on the maternal allele takes place. Importantly, while the AS-SRO is required in the gametes to confer methylation on PWS-SRO, it is dispensable later in development.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +972 26758172; Fax: +972 26415848; Email: razina{at}md.huji.ac.il
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