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In 1977 I wrote a grant proposal in which I applied to study developmental patterns in enzymatic methylation of DNA in eukaryotes. One part of the proposal was to assay cells at different embryonic developmental stages for maintenance and de novo type methylase activity. With one exception the referees, probably developmental biologists, recommended that the work not be supported because there was no evidence that methylation plays any role in eukaryotic gene regulation. Aside from proving that innovative ideas can seldom be used to successfully compete for grant funds, the skepticism of biologists toward methylation as a regulatory mechanism was, and still is, widespread even among some of those who investigate the problem. That is a healthy situation for all points of view should be brought to bear on a problem of such importance. However, to deny funds to investigate a problem because one has already formed an opinion without evidence is hardly commendable. The great skepticism about the significance of DNA methylation is based in part on the evidence that it is absent or very little used in Drosophila, a favorite organism for genetic and developmental studies. There now remains little doubt that methylation of cytosine in certain CpG sites can strikingly affect the transcription of sequences 3' to the methylated doublet. How this inhibition operates and to what extent it is utilized in cells is still debatable.
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Table of contents (6 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
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Bibliographic information
Book title: DNA Methylation and Cellular Differentiation
Authors: James Herbert Taylor
Series title: Cell Biology Monographs
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-8721-0
Publisher: Springer Vienna
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eBook packages: Springer Book Archive
Copyright information: Springer-Verlag/Wien 1984
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-7091-8723-4Published: 30 December 2011
eBook ISBN: 978-3-7091-8721-0Published: 06 December 2012
Series ISSN: 0172-4665
Edition number: 1
Number of pages: VIII, 138
Topics: Biochemistry, general, Cell Biology, Database Management