title: DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in stem cells.
abstract: In mammals, DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation are specific epigenetic mechanisms that can contribute to the regulation of gene expression and cellular functions. DNA methylation is important for the function of embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells (such as haematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells and germline stem cells), and changes in DNA methylation patterns are essential for successful nuclear reprogramming. In the past several years, the rediscovery of hydroxymethylation and the TET enzymes expanded our insights tremendously and uncovered more dynamic aspects of cytosine methylation regulation. Here, we review the current knowledge and highlight the most recent advances in DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells and several well-studied adult stems cells. Our current understanding of stem cell epigenetics and new advances in the field will undoubtedly stimulate further clinical applications of regenerative medicine in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.|Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D044503:5-Methylcytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C011865:5-hydroxymethylcytosine; D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D003596:Cytosine
keywords: adult stem cells; epigenetics; hydroxymethylation; methylation; stem cells