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Differential methylation of the human apolipoprotein AI (Apo AI) gene in liver and leucocyte cell DNA

Ricardo A. Dewey; Lidia Vidal-Rioja

Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), C.C. 403, 1900 La Plata, Argentina. Fax: 54-21-253320. Send correspondence to L.V.R.

ABSTRACT

The DNA methylation pattern within the transcribed region of the human Apolipoprotein AI (Apo AI) gene was analyzed in DNA sample preparations of uncultured liver and leucocyte cells from five unrelated Caucasian patients. While, CCGG sites were fully methylated in leucocyte DNA, liver cell DNA showed demethylation in three specific sites within the gene. These results support previous data from cultured cells, showing that demethylation within the Apo AI gene is correlated with gene expression.

Keywords: differential methylation; human apolipoprotein; leucocyte cell.

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