The linked maternally expressed H19 and paternally expressed Igf2 genes use a CTCF-dependent DNA methylation–sensitive insulator to govern their allele-specific imprinting patterns. Contrary to expectations, a new study shows that the noncoding H19 RNA has a marsupial ortholog and that key features of the locus are similar, indicating that the imprinting regulation of this locus is conserved among therian mammals.
- Marisa S Bartolomei
- Sebastien Vigneau
- Michael J O'Neill