Methylation of a CGATA element inhibits binding and regulation by GATA-1

Abstract

While DNA methylation is thought to play a regulatory role, there are few examples where modification of a single CpG dinucleotide directly affects transcription factor binding. Here the authors show that methylation of a single CGATA element within the c-Kit gene inhibits binding and regulation by erythroid transcription factor GATA-1, both in cells and in mice, suggesting that methylation at this site plays an essential role in erythropoiesis.