{
  "id": 7337205,
  "title": "Transcription-driven establishment of DNA methylation at the PWS/AS imprinted region",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/transcription-driven-establishment-of-dna-methylation-at-the-pws-as",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.08.749716v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Genomic imprinting is a process that dictates parent-of-origin-specific gene expression. The human Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome (PWS/AS) region on chromosome 15 contains two key imprinted control regions: PWS-SRO and AS-SRO. PWS-SRO acquires maternal-specific methylation, while AS-SRO initiates transcription in oocytes. To investigate if transcription across PWS-SRO can trigger de novo DNA methylation, researchers employed a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) system. By replacing the endogenous AS-SRO with a doxycycline-inducible promoter that activates transcription across PWS-SRO, they were able to observe robust activation upon doxycycline treatment. This activation, as confirmed by splicing to SNRPN exon 2, was similar to the structure of oocyte-derived transcripts. Importantly, the study found that DNA methylation up to 10% was observed only following directed differentiation into the endodermal lineage, suggesting that differentiation-dependent cues, reminiscent of the oocyte environment, are necessary for de novo DNA methylation establishment at the PWS/AS locus. This in vitro system offers a controlled platform to dissect the molecular mechanisms and chromatin dynamics involved in imprint establishment.",
  "summary": "Genomic imprinting is regulated by allele-specific DNA methylation at imprinting control regions, ensuring parent-of-origin-specific gene expression. The human Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome (PWS/AS) locus on chromosome 15q harbours a bipartite imprinting center consisting of the PWS-SRO, which acquires maternal-specific methylation, and the AS-SRO, an upstream promoter that initiates…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}