title: DNA methylation and gene expression.
abstract: In the field of studies of the mechanisms of gene expression, much recent work using the methods of genetic engineering, have suggested the hypothesis of a role of DNA methylation (on some cytosines) in the control of gene activity. Undermethylation is generally accompanied by gene expression. A review of studies on DNA methylation in some physiopathologic conditions (such as development and cancer) and of recent therapeutic trials in beta thalassemia, allows to conclude that there is a correlation between DNA methylation pattern and gene expression, rather than a direct causal effect.
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003596:Cytosine / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D004915:Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D003596:Cytosine; D004247:DNA