Development of hemimethylated DNA recognition proteins for detection and control of DNA methylation

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24550198
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Chemistry related to living body
• Research Institution: Doshisha University
• Principal Investigator: NOMURA Akiko 同志社大学, 研究開発推進機構, 研究員 (40443006)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: DNA / 蛋白質 / ペプチド

Outline of Final Research Achievements

DNA methylation is involved in the regulation of many epigenetic processes, including embryonic development and cellular differentiation. DNA methylation particularly appears at the 5’-position of cytosine residue in 5’-CpG-3’ sequence. In addition, erroneous DNA methylation may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of tumorigenesis and aging. The inheritance of DNA methylation is coupled to the DNA replication process, however, the mechanisms in detail involving hemimethylation is not completely clarified, in which only one of two complementary strands is methylated. The development of a new detection method of hemimethylation should contribute to coming epigenetics research.
In this study, an artificial protein/peptide has been developed that bind preferentially to a hemimethylated DNA rather than the full-methylated and unmethylated DNAs.

Free Research Field

生体関連化学