Figure 5

Predicted DNA methylation dynamics during epigenetic reprogramming in the male germline of the tammar wallaby and corresponding stages in the mouse male germline. The vertical axes represent relative DNA methylation level and the horizontal axes represent days postpartum. In the top graph, the predicted methylation dynamics of the H19 and PEG10 DMRs were represented by the blue and broken grey lines, respectively. Demethylation of the H19 DMR was completed by 14 days postpartum and de-novo methylation started from 34 days postpartum. Retrotransposon methylation was not completely removed after the demethylation event in the germ cells, similar to the situation in the mouse. The corresponding stages in the mouse male germline were illustrated in the bottom. Thus, despite the occurrence of epigenetic reprogramming postnatally and the persistence of genome-wide undermethylation for 20 days in the postnatal tammar, the relative timing of germ cell reprogramming was conserved between marsupials and eutherians.