The human placenta methylome

The human placenta methylome.

Tissue-specific DNA methylation is found at promoters, enhancers, and CpG islands but also over larger genomic regions. In most human tissues, the vast majority of the genome is highly methylated (>70%). Recently, sequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA (MethylC-seq) has revealed large partially methylated domains (PMDs) in some human cell lines. PMDs cover up to 40% of the genome and are associate...

The human placental methylome.

This review provides an overview of the unique features of DNA methylation in the human placenta. We discuss the importance of understanding placental development, structure, and function in the interpretation of DNA methylation data. Examples are given of how DNA methylation is important in regulating placental-specific gene expression, including monoallelic expression and X-chromosome inactiv...

German human methylome project started.

In the December issue of Cancer Research , Jones and Martiensen report on an AACR meeting of scientists interested in DNA methylation and epigenetics (1). The aim of that meeting was to prepare the grounds for a human epigenome project, which is certainly needed as concluded by Rauscher in an editorial in the same issue of Cancer Research (2). In this respect, we would like to announce that the...

The human placenta.

Examination of the human placenta

The human placenta is an underexamined organ. The clinical indications for placental examination have no gold standards. There is also inconsistency in the histological reports and the quality is variable. There is great interobserver variability concerning the different entities. Although there are still grey areas in clinicopathological associations, a few mainstream observations have now bee...