Functions of DNA methyltransferase 3-like in germ cells and beyond.
DNA methyltransferase 3-like (DNMT3L) is one of the key players in de novo DNA methylation of imprinting control elements and retrotransposons, which occurs after genome-wide epigenetic erasure during germ cell development. In this review, we summarise the biochemical properties of DNMT3L and discuss the possible mechanisms behind DNMT3L-mediated imprinting establishment and retrotransposon silencing in germ cells. We also discuss possible connections between DNMT3L and non-coding RNA-mediated epigenetic remodelling, the roles of DNMT3L in germ cell development and the implications in stem cell and cancer research.
Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hung-Fu
HF
Liao
Kang-Yu
KY
Tai
Wendy S-C
WS
Chen
Luca C W
LC
Cheng
Hong-Nerng
HN
Ho
Shau-Ping
SP
Lin
D000818:Animals; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D016678:Genome; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D018626:Retroelements / Q000235:genetics*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology
D006657:Histones; D018626:Retroelements; C412484:DNMT3L protein, human; C498796:Dnmt3l protein, mouse; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; D006655:Histone Deacetylases