title: Formation of methylation patterns in the mammalian genome.
abstract: Cytosine methylation in mammals is an epigenetic modification required for viability of the developing embryo. It has been suggested that DNA methylation plays important roles in X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting, protection of the genome from invasive DNA sequences, and compartmentalization of the genome into active and condensed regions. Despite the significance of DNA methylation in mammalian cells, the mechanisms used to establish methylation patterns during development are not understood. This review will summarize the current state of knowledge about potential roles for cis- and trans-acting factors in the formation of methylation patterns in the mammalian genome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Turker
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Bestor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D019175:DNA Methylation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D008780:Methyltransferases