Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins in plants

Gideon Grafi*, Assaf Zemach, Letizia Pitto

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cytosine methylation is the most prevalent epigenetic modification of plant nuclear DNA, which occurs in symmetrical CpG or CpNpG as well as in non-symmetrical contexts. Intensive studies demonstrated the central role played by cytosine methylation in genome organization, gene expression and in plant growth and development. However, the way by which the methyl group is interpreted into a functional state has only recently begun to be explored with the isolation and characterization of methylated DNA binding proteins capable of binding 5-methylcytosine. These proteins belong to an evolutionary conserved protein family initially described in animals termed methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins. Here, we highlight recent advances and present new prospects concerning plant MBD proteins and their possible role in controlling chromatin structure mediated by CpG methylation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)287-294
Number of pages8
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Gene Structure and Expression
Volume1769
Issue number5-6
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2007
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
Jewish Colonization Association
International Communication Association
Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della RicercaRBNE01TYZF-003
Israel Science Foundation

    Keywords

    • Arginine methyltransferase (PRMT)
    • Cytosine methylation
    • Decrease in DNA Methylation 1 (DDM1)
    • Heterochromatin
    • Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) protein
    • Nucleolar organizing region (NOR)
    • Plant

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins in plants'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this