Alterations in DNA methylation have been reported to occur during development and aging; however, much remains to be learned regarding post-natal and age-associated epigenome dynamics, and few if any investigations have compared human methylome patterns on a whole genome basis in cells from newborns and adults. The aim of this study was to reveal genomic regions with distinct structure and sequence characteristics that render them subject to dynamic post-natal developmental remodeling or age-related dysregulation of epigenome structure. DNA samples derived from peripheral blood monocytes and
in vitro
differentiated dendritic cells were analyzed by methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) or, for selected loci, bisulfite modification, followed by next generation sequencing. Regions of interest that emerged from the analysis included tandem or interspersed-tandem gene sequence repeats
(PCDHG
,
FAM90A
,
HRNR, ECEL1P2
), and genes with strong homology to other family members elsewhere in the genome (
FZD1, FZD7
and
FGF17
). Our results raise the possibility that selected gene sequences with highly homologous copies may serve to facilitate, perhaps even provide a clock-like function for, developmental and age-related epigenome remodeling. If so, this would represent a fundamental feature of genome architecture in higher eukaryotic organisms.
Using a radioimmunoassay for the NH2-terminus of prothymosin alpha, the crossreactive material was measured in subcellular fractions of calf thymus and liver. No significant amount of crossreactive material was found in the nucleus. This provides experimental evidence against a recent hypothesis, based on structural evidence, that prothymosin alpha is a nuclear polypeptide.
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