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Science 9 October 1987:
Vol. 238. no. 4824, pp. 163 - 170
DOI: 10.1126/science.3310230
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Articles

Science, Vol 238, Issue 4824, 163-170
Copyright © 1987 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

The inheritance of epigenetic defects

R Holliday

Genetics Division, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom.

Evidence from many sources shows that the control of gene expression in higher organisms is related to the methylation of cytosine in DNA, and that the pattern of methylation is inherited. Loss of methylation, which can result from DNA damage, will lead to heritable abnormalities in gene expression, and these may be important in oncogenesis and aging. Transformed permanent lines often lose gene activity through de novo methylation. It is proposed that epigenetic defects in germline cells due to loss of methylation can be repaired by recombination at meiosis but that some are transmitted to offspring.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)