DNA methylation： a new twist in the tail  

作　　者：Gavin Kelsey 

机构地区：[1]Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT [2]Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom

出　　处：《Cell Research》2011年第8期1155-1156,共2页细胞研究（英文版）

摘　　要：DNA methylation is the epigenetic mark with the longest history and that we probably understand best, yet we still have no adequate account for why specific DNA sequences are selected to become methylated. Gene-specific DNA methylation is fundamental to processes such as developmental silencing of genes, classical epigenetic phenomena such as genomic imprinting, and occurs pathologically in the silencing of tumor suppressor genes in cancer. Fully understanding the mechanisms ofmethylation is thus of huge importance. In mammals, the acquisition of DNA methylation is determined by one of two de novo DNA methyltransferase enzymes, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. These activities are assisted by the related, but catalytically inactive protein Dnmt3L. Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b have similar structures, com- prising a PWWP domain, PHD-like or ADD domain and a carboxy-terminal catalytic domain [1]. The PWWP domains are required for binding of Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b to chromatin in vivo,

关 键 词：DNA甲基化 DNA甲基转移酶 基因组印记 催化结构域 尾部 DNA序列 遗传标记 抑癌基因 

分 类 号：Q75[生物学—分子生物学] Q55