Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine DNA (CpG DNA)

CpG DNA refers to regions of DNA where a cytosine nucleotide is followed by a guanine nucleotide. These sites are crucial for epigenetic regulation, with methylation leading to gene silencing and unmethylation enabling transcription. Unmethylated CpG motifs also act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), activating the innate immune system. Synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) are used as immunostimulatory agents and vaccine adjuvants.

Other names

CpG dinucleotidesCpG motifsCpG islands (CGIs)CpG ODNs (synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides)

CpG ODNs activate innate immune cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, B cells) through pattern recognition receptors. Methylation status of CpG dinucleotides influences gene expression by affecting chromatin accessibility and transcription factor binding.