Establishing, maintaining and modifying DNA methylation patterns in plants and animals.
Cytosine DNA methylation is a stable epigenetic mark that is crucial for diverse biological processes, including gene and transposon silencing, imprinting and X chromosome inactivation. Recent findings in plants and animals have greatly increased our understanding of the pathways used to accurately target, maintain and modify patterns of DNA methylation and have revealed unanticipated mechanistic similarities between these organisms. Key roles have emerged for small RNAs, proteins with domains that bind methylated DNA and DNA glycosylases in these processes. Drawing on insights from both plants and animals should deepen our understanding of the regulation and biological significance of DNA methylation.
Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California-Los Angeles, 90095-1606, USA.
Julie A
JA
Law
Steven E
SE
Jacobsen
D000818:Animals; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D018744:DNA, Plant; D006657:Histones; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering