Inter-3' ends CpG islands are enriched in human chromosome 19p13.3 region: A genomic signature of metabolism-associated genes

Abstract

Metabolic disease is a pandemic in modern times. However, understanding of the genomic basis associated with metabolism remains to be further elucidated. CpG islands are the genomic regions enriched in cytosine nucleotide (C) and guanine nucleotide (G), mostly located at promoters and contain the 5' end of the gene transcript. In this study, we utilize the UCSC Genome Browser to map the genomic locations and extract the CpG island tracks that are associated with the genes encoding functions in cell metabolism or metabolic disease. We identified a new genomic signature, namely inter-3' end CpG island (ITCI), associated with the genes encoding major metabolic regulators or enzymes in the human chromosome 19p13.3 region. In this region, the gene encoding a major metabolic regulator, CREB3L3, possesses a conserved CpG island in its 3' end. This unique ITCI genomic signature has been found in nine pairs of genes in the human chromosome 19p13.3 region. Many of these genes are associated with metabolism. In conclusion, we discovered a new type of genomic signature, ITCI, which is featured by a dozen of metabolic genes possessing conserved CpG islands in their 3' ends, in a specific human chromosome. Identification of ITCI signature and decoding of the ITCI-associated associated metabolic genes provide important insights into the genomic basis of metabolism or metabolic disease.