CpG island
CpG island is a region of DNA with higher than usual CG sequence content and mostly found in promoter regions [1]. Usually unmethylated, CpG islands are important in epigenetic control of gene expression. Methylation of these regions can cause cancer and other disease states [2].Certain restriction endonucleases that have CG in their recognition sequences can be used for CpG island identification.
References
- ↑ http://www.everythingbio.com/glos/definition.php?word=CpG+island
- ↑ Bock C, Paulsen M, Tierling S, Mikeska T, Lengauer T, et al. (2006) CpG Island Methylation in Human Lymphocytes Is Highly Correlated with DNA Sequence, Repeats, and Predicted DNA Structure. PLoS Genet 2(3): e26. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.0020026