[Mechanism of DNA methylation and demethylation--its role in control of genes expression].
Cytosine methylation is a post-replicative DNA modification associated with transcriptional repression. This process consists in covalent addition of a methyl group to cytosine within the CpG dinucleotide. DNA methylation is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases which transfer a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to cytosine bases in DNA. Methylation patterns are determined by DNA methyltransferases, but also by the process of DNA demethylation. This review describes biochemical aspects of DNA methylation and demethylation and its role in regulation of genes expression, as well as shows cytosine methylation as promising target for anticancer therapy.
Guz
Jolanta
J
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 24 Karlowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland. jolaguz@cm.umk.pl
Foksiński
Marek
M
Oliński
Ryszard
R
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003596:Cytosine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D000090205:DNA Methyltransferase 3A; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C411744:DMAP1 protein, human; C000717967:DNMT3A protein, human; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D003596:Cytosine; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; D000090205:DNA Methyltransferase 3A; C112218:TRDMT1 protein, human