Destabilization of the human epigenome: consequences of foreign DNA insertions. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weber, Stefanie; Hofmann, Andrea; Herms, Stefan; Hoffmann, Per; Doerfler, Walter
• Is Part Of: Epigenomics. Volume 7:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 745
• Page End: 755
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: epigenetics -- foreign DNA -- destabilization -- transgenomes -- DNA methylation -- differential gene expression -- differential methylation; Epigenesis -- Periodicals; Genomics -- Periodicals; Chromatin -- Periodicals; DNA -- Periodicals; 572.87
• DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.40
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-1911

Abstract

Aim: We previously reported changes of DNA methylation and transcription patterns in mammalian cells that carry integrated foreign DNA. Experiments were now designed to assess the epigenetic consequences of inserting a 5.6 kbp plasmid into the human genome.Methods: Differential transcription and CpG methylation patterns were compared between transgenomic and nontransgenomic cell clones by using gene chip microarray systems.Results: In 4.7% of the 28.869 gene segments analyzed, transcriptional activities were up- or downregulated in the transgenomic cell clones. Genome-wide profiling revealed differential methylation in 3791 of > 480, 000 CpG's examined in transgenomic versus nontransgenomic clones.Conclusion: The data document genome-wide effects of foreign DNA insertions on the epigenetic stability of human cells. Many fields in experimental biology and medicine employ transgenomic or otherwise genome-manipulated cells or organisms without considering the epigenetic consequences for the recipient genomes.