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Fig. 5 | Cell & Bioscience

Fig. 5

From: DNA methylation modification is associated with gonadal differentiation in Monopterus albus

Fig. 5

Expression regulation of foxl2 and cyp19a1a by DNA methylation. a foxl2 and cyp19a1a expression pattern among gonads by semi-quantitative PCR. hprt was employed as an internal control. b Methylation status of CpG dinucleotide of foxl2 5′ flanking region in ovary, ovotestis, and testis. Open box and black box represented unmethylated site and methylated site respectively. c Methylation status of CpG dinucleotide of cyp19a1a 5′ flanking region in ovary, ovotestis, and testis. Open box and black box represented unmethylated site and methylated site respectively. d Schematic depiction of synthesis pathway of female hormone estradiol-17β, in which expressions of foxl2 and cyp19a1a were associated with DNA methylation status in their promoters. e A model showing DNA methylation regulation in gonadal differentiation. A balance mechanism between upregulation of DNA methylation m5dC and downregulation of hydroxymethylation hm5dC plays an important role in gonadal differentiation. Foxa1 binds to dnmt3aa promoter and activates its expression in gonads. DNA methylation levels are downregulated in promoters of key genes foxl2 and cyp19a1a in female determination pathway, which enhances their expression, thus promotes development and function maintenance of ovary, while in testis, Dnmt3aa expression causes DNA methylation of foxl2 and cyp19a1a promoters, and decreases their expression, thus suppresses female determination pathway

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