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. 1992 Jan 25;20(2):171–178. doi: 10.1093/nar/20.2.171

Methylation of an alpha-foetoprotein gene intragenic site modulates gene activity.

K Opdecamp 1, M Rivière 1, M Molné 1, J Szpirer 1, C Szpirer 1
PMCID: PMC310351  PMID: 1371343

Abstract

By comparing the methylation pattern of Mspl/Hpall sites in the 5' region of the mouse alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) gene of different cells (hepatoma cells, foetal and adult liver, fibroblasts), we found a correlation between gene expression and unmethylation of a site located in the first intron of the gene. Other sites did not show this correlation. In transfection experiments of unmethylated and methylated AFP-CAT chimeric constructions, we then showed that methylation of the intronic site negatively modulates expression of CAT activity. We also found that a DNA segment centered on this site binds nuclear proteins; however methylation did not affect protein binding.

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Selected References

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