Analysis of the role and regulation of gene body DNA methylation

Research Project

Project/Area Number	24770009
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Research Field	Genetics/Genome dynamics
Research Institution	National Institute of Genetics
Principal Investigator	TO TAIKO 国立遺伝学研究所, 総合遺伝研究系, 特任研究員 (10623978)
Project Period (FY)	2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
Budget Amount *help	¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000) Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000) Fiscal Year 2012: ¥2,730,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥630,000)
Keywords	エピジェネティクス / DNAメチル化 / 転写 / DNA複製 / DNA傷害
Outline of Final Research Achievements	I searched for the biological role of gene body DNA methylation that is found inside of transcriptionally active genes, by molecular biology and bioinformatics using a model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The results suggested that gene body methylation may function to prevent torsional stress and/or DNA damage during DNA replication. In addition, I could isolate the mutants that tend to lose DNA methylation within gene. These results propose the novel point of view for the function of DNA methylation in DNA replication and DNA damage, as well as providing the suitable material for the research in gene body DNA methylation.