Methylation status and DNase I sensitivity of immunoglobulin genes: changes associated with rearrangement.

摘要: Abstract Immunoglobulin V kappa genes are transcriptionally silent in their germline context and become active upon fusion to the J kappa-C region (kappa locus). To elucidate role of chromosomal structure this regulatory phenomenon we have investigated DNase I sensitivity methylation status locus selected a variety alleles exhibiting different rearrangement configurations levels transcriptional activity. Our findings indicate that either or rearranged contexts maintains distinctive I-sensitive, hypomethylated plasmacytomas hybridomas, irrespective its level In contrast, less accessible regions chromatin more highly methylated DNA. Upon locus, I-sensitive hypomethylated. This effect extends several kilobases upstream initiation site but does not extend adjacent gene identical allele on other chromosome, indicating structural alteration is localized cis-acting phenomenon.