| Literature DB >> 17316885 |
Robert Feil1, Frédéric Berger.
Abstract
Parental genomic imprinting is characterized by the expression of a selected panel of genes from one of the two parental alleles. Recent evidence shows that DNA methylation and histone modifications are responsible for this parent-of-origin-dependent expression of imprinted genes. Because similar epigenetic marks have been recruited independently in plants and mammals, the only organisms in which imprinted gene loci have been identified so far, this phenomenon represents a case for convergent evolution. Here we discuss the emerging parallels in imprinting in both taxa. We also describe the significance of imprinting for reproduction and discuss potential models for its evolution.Mesh:
Year: 2007 PMID: 17316885 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2007.02.004
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Trends Genet ISSN: 0168-9525 Impact factor: 11.639