The role of the de novo DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a in the nervous system

DNA methylation is an important mechanism of gene regulation. Evidence is mounting that epigenetic mechanisms including that of DNA methylation operate in the nervous system. Genetic disruption of the de novo DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a in mice were used to elucidate the role of the enzyme in the nervous system. Inactivating Dnmt3a in the nervous system resulted in a drastically shortened lifespan and in behavioral abnormalities that suggested a motor defect. Dnmt3a mutants also exhibited motor neuron loss and fragmented neuromuscular junction synapses. These results support a requirement for DNA methyltransferase activity in the neuromuscular system.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Biology.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Nguyen, Suzanne Pham

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Rudolph Jaenisch.

• Biology.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/38989

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/38989