Destabilization of the human epigenome: consequences of foreign DNA insertions

作者：Weber Stefanie; Hofmann Andrea; Herms Stefan; Hoffmann Per; Doerfler Walter^*

来源：Epigenomics, 2015, 7(5): 745-755.

DOI：10.2217/EPI.15.40

• destabilization
• differential gene expression
• differential methylation
• DNA methylation
• epigenetics
• foreign DNA
• transgenomes

Aim: We previously reported changes of DNA methylation and transcription patterns in mammalian cells that carry integrated foreign DNA. Experiments were now designed to assess the epigenetic consequences of inserting a 5.6 kbp plasmid into the human genome. Methods: Differential transcription and CpG methylation patterns were compared between transgenomic and nontransgenomic cell clones by using gene chip microarray systems. Results: In 4.7% of the 28.869 gene segments analyzed, transcriptional activities were up-or downregulated in the transgenomic cell clones. Genome-wide profiling revealed differential methylation in 3791 of >480,000 CpG's examined in transgenomic versus nontransgenomic clones. Conclusion: The data document genome-wide effects of foreign DNA insertions on the epigenetic stability of human cells. Many fields in experimental biology and medicine employ transgenomic or otherwise genome-manipulated cells or organisms without considering the epigenetic consequences for the recipient genomes.

• 出版日期2015