Regulation of Gene Expression by DNA Methylation and RNA Editing in Animals

TY - BOOK

T1 - Regulation of Gene Expression by DNA Methylation and RNA Editing in Animals

AU - Li, Qiye

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - The central dogma of molecular biology assumes the faithful transmission of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. However, epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation can strongly affect the flow of genetic information without changing the underlying DNA sequences. In addition, there has been growing interest in exploring the modifications occurring at the RNA level, which can impact the fate and function of mRNA. One fascinating type of such modifications is RNA editing, which alters specific nucleotides in transcribed RNA and thus can produce transcripts that are not encoded in the genome. Thanks to the advent of high-throughput sequencing technology, we now have the opportunity to investigate the evolutionary dynamics and the regulatory roles of these modifications in a genome-wide scale and across diverse species – something that has inspired the focus of my PhD research. In this thesis, I first introduce my study of DNA methylation in a model mollusk, the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), and provide insight into the evolution of invertebrate CpG methylation. Then, I present and discuss the regulatory role of DNA methylation in reproductive division of labor in naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber), a eusocial mammal living in cooperative colonies. Finally, I introduce a software package that I developed that is specifically designed for the genome-wide identification of RNA-editing sites in animals, with the ultimate aim of promoting the evolutionary and functional study of RNA editing in different species.

AB - The central dogma of molecular biology assumes the faithful transmission of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. However, epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation can strongly affect the flow of genetic information without changing the underlying DNA sequences. In addition, there has been growing interest in exploring the modifications occurring at the RNA level, which can impact the fate and function of mRNA. One fascinating type of such modifications is RNA editing, which alters specific nucleotides in transcribed RNA and thus can produce transcripts that are not encoded in the genome. Thanks to the advent of high-throughput sequencing technology, we now have the opportunity to investigate the evolutionary dynamics and the regulatory roles of these modifications in a genome-wide scale and across diverse species – something that has inspired the focus of my PhD research. In this thesis, I first introduce my study of DNA methylation in a model mollusk, the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), and provide insight into the evolution of invertebrate CpG methylation. Then, I present and discuss the regulatory role of DNA methylation in reproductive division of labor in naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber), a eusocial mammal living in cooperative colonies. Finally, I introduce a software package that I developed that is specifically designed for the genome-wide identification of RNA-editing sites in animals, with the ultimate aim of promoting the evolutionary and functional study of RNA editing in different species.

UR - https://rex.kb.dk:443/KGL:KGL:KGL01009273380

M3 - Ph.D. thesis

BT - Regulation of Gene Expression by DNA Methylation and RNA Editing in Animals

PB - Natural History Museum of Denmark, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen

ER -