Mammalian DNA methyltransferase 1: inspiration for new directions.
The role of DNA methyltransferase 1, DNMT1, in human cancer cells has recently been contested. In this setting, DNMT1's function as the sole maintenance methyltransferase was based on the assumption that its biological activity is identical to the mouse homologue. However, the application of recent technological advances, including gene targeting and siRNA mediated ablation studies, has cast doubt on this presumed role. Here, we attempt to shed light on these new data within the context of previous experiments.
Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Biology Division, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA.
Angela H
AH
Ting
Kam-wing
KW
Jair
Hiromu
H
Suzuki
Ray-Whay Chiu
RW
Yen
Stephen B
SB
Baylin
Kornel E
KE
Schuebel
D000818:Animals; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology
D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; C000619380:DNMT1 protein, human; C000619381:Dnmt1 protein, mouse