Selective inhibition of cytosine-DNA methylases by polyamines
Selective inhibition of cytosine-DNA methylases by polyamines
- FEBS Letters, 357(2), p.192-196, 1995 .
We have advanced the hypothesis that polyamines affect DNA methylation and thus promote the expression of developmentally controlled genes. We demonstrate that the activity of cytosine-DNA methyltransferases HpaII, HhaI, HaeIII and SssI is inhibited by physiological concentrations of polyamines. On the other hand, activity of the adenine-DNA methyltransferase EcoRI, and restriction enzymes HpaII, HhaI, HaeIII and EcoRI, is insensitive to polyamine concentrations up to 40 mM. Our results indicate that the effect of polyamines on cytosine- DNA methyltranferases is rather selective and suggest a possible mode of action in vivo.
PUTRESCINE
SPERMIDINE
DNA-METHYLATION
RESTRICTION ENZYME
We have advanced the hypothesis that polyamines affect DNA methylation and thus promote the expression of developmentally controlled genes. We demonstrate that the activity of cytosine-DNA methyltransferases HpaII, HhaI, HaeIII and SssI is inhibited by physiological concentrations of polyamines. On the other hand, activity of the adenine-DNA methyltransferase EcoRI, and restriction enzymes HpaII, HhaI, HaeIII and EcoRI, is insensitive to polyamine concentrations up to 40 mM. Our results indicate that the effect of polyamines on cytosine- DNA methyltranferases is rather selective and suggest a possible mode of action in vivo.
PUTRESCINE
SPERMIDINE
DNA-METHYLATION
RESTRICTION ENZYME