Figure 6: Correlation between 5hmC and gene expression during spermatogenesis.

(a) Box plots of the expression value of RefSeq genes with (green) or without (red) hMRs in the gene bodies. The expression levels of all RefSeq genes with 5hmC are significantly higher than those without this modification. (b) Positive correlation between expression and 5hmC density of retrotransposons during spermatogenesis. The red line and the left-side vertical axis showed the average levels of 5hmC on all retrotransposons, while the blue line and right-side vertical axis showed the average levels of retrotransposon RNAs. (c) 5hmC densities across the gene bodies of the PPP genes. (d) Box plots of the expression value of PPP genes with (green) or without (red) hMRs in the gene bodies. The expression levels of PPP genes with 5hmC are significantly lower than those without this modification for cell types marked by ‘*’. ‘*’ indicates significant differences based on t-test with P <0.01.