What Is DNA Methylation - PDF

26/11/2019 What is DNA Methylation?
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What is DNA Methylation?

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By Sally Robertson, B.Sc. (/life-sciences/authors/sally-robertson)
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DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism used by cells to control gene expression.
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A number of mechanisms exist to control gene expression in eukaryotes, but DNA
methylation is a commonly used epigenetic signaling tool that can x genes in the “o ”
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position.
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Over recent decades, scientists have made various discoveries about DNA methylation
and how vital it is to a number of cellular processes suchWebinars
as embryonic development, X-
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chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, gene suppression, carcinogenesis and
Contacthave
chromosome stability. Researchers (/life-sciences/contact)
linked abnormal DNA methylation to several
adverse outcomes, including human diseases.
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DNA contains combinations of four nucleotides which include cytosine, guanine,

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thymine and adenine. DNA methylation refers to the addition of a methyl (CH3) group
to the DNA strand itself, oftenSearch
to the(/life-sciences/search)
fth carbon atom of a cytosine ring. This
conversion of cytosine bases to 5-methylcytosine is catalysed by DNA
methyltransferases (DNMTs). These modi ed cytosine residues usually lie next to a
guanine base (CpG methylation) and the result is two methylated cytosines positioned
diagonally to each other on opposite strands of DNA.
Di erent DNMTs work together either as de novo DNMTs, establishing the methyl group
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methylation
pattern on an existing strand of DNA to its new partner following replication.
Methylation is sparse but global in mammals, found in CpG sequences across the entire
https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-DNA-Methylation.aspx 1/10
genome, aside from certain stretches (of around one kilobase) where the content of
CpG is high (CpG islands). When those sequences are methylated, the result can be the
inappropriate silencing of genes such as tumor suppression genes.
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The global distribution of methylation in mammals has posed a challenge to

researchers in terms of nding out whether methylation is a default state or is targeted
at speci c gene sequences. However, CpG islands are generally found in close proximity
to transcription start sites, suggesting there is an established recognition system.
In addition to DNA methylation being vital to healthy growth and development, it also
enables the expression of retroviral genes
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potentially dangerous sequences of DNA that have entered and may damage the host.
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Another important purpose of DNA methylation is the formation of the chromatin

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structure, which enables a single cell to grow into a complex multicellular organism
made up of di erent tissues and organs. Scientists have established that some de novo
DNMTs are components of chromatin-remodeling complexes that achieve remodeling
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performing on the spot DNA methylation to x in place the closed shape of
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chromatin.
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DNA methylation and disease

Researchers are currently looking at the links between DNA methylation and human
diseases such as lupus, cancer, muscular dystrophy and various congenital defects.
Their ndings could be signi cant in aiding the development of therapies and for
understanding and preventing conditions that develop during embryonic development
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as a result of abnormal methylation of the X chromosome and gene imprinting.
So far, much of this research has been focused on cancer and tumor suppressor genes,
since hypermethylation often results in the silencing of tumor suppressor genes in
cancerous cells. Compared to normal cells, the genomes in cancer cells have also been
shown to be hypomethylated over all, with hypermethylation only occurring in the
genes involved in tumor cell invasion, cell cycle
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where
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lead to thespread of cancer. Indeed, in colon cancer, it is
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possible to detect hypermethylation early on in the course of disease, meaning 
hypermethylation may serve asMedical
a biomarker
Homefor the condition.
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Sources
1. http://labs.genetics.ucla.edu/fan/papers/npp2012112a.pdf
(http://labs.genetics.ucla.edu/fan/papers/npp2012112a.pdf)
2. http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/16/1/6
(http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/16/1/6)
3. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/293/5532/1068
(http://www.sciencemag.org/content/293/5532/1068)
4. http://www.activemotif.com/documents/1654.pdf
(http://www.activemotif.com/documents/1654.pdf)
5. http://www.promega.com/~/media/ les/
(http://www.promega.com/%7E/media/ les/promega%20worldwide/north%20ame
rica/promega%20us/webinars%20and%20events/epigeneticwebinarsept2012.pdf?
la=en)
6. www.nature.com/.../the-role-of-methylation-in-gene-expression-1070
(http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/the-role-of-methylation-in-gene-
expression-1070) Contact (/life-sciences/contact)
7. http://helicase.pbworks.com/w/page/17605615/DNA%20Methylation
(http://helicase.pbworks.com/w/page/17605615/DNA%20Methylation)
Further Reading
All DNA Methylation Content (/?tag=/DNA-Methylation)
DNA Methylation: Eukaryotes versus Prokaryotes (/life-sciences/DNA-Methylation-
Eukaryotes-versus-Prokaryotes.aspx)
DNA Methyltransferase Enzymes (/life-sciences/DNA-Methyltransferases.aspx)
DNA Methylation Detection (/life-sciences/DNA-Methylation-Detection.aspx)
Epigenetics and Epigenomics (/life-sciences/Epigenetics-and-Epigenomics.aspx)
More...
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2018
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Written by About (/life-sciences/about)
Sally Robertson (https://www.news-medical.net/life-

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Sally has a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical
Life Sciences Sciences (B.Sc.). She is a specialist in reviewing
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and summarising the latest ndings across all areas of medicine covered in major, high-
impact, world-leadingWhite
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bulletins from governmental agencies and regulatory bodies. At News-Medical, Sally
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Citations 
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Comments
So in other words, the lack of DNA methylation would cause cancer and other (/opinion/f473b190-
72b7-47d2-b911-adbf751bc214.aspx) News (/life-sciences/news)
Brittny Klinedinst says:
March 1, 2016 at 8:33 PM (/opinion/f473b190-72b7-47d2-b911-adbf751bc214.aspx)
So in other words, the lack of DNA methylation would cause cancer and other diseases not
it's presence? Also, if most of this process is prominent during embryonic development, then how
is it related to epigenetics White Papers
considering (/life-sciences/whitepapers)
epigenetics is based upon the idea that the environment can
alter one's genetic make-up years after embryonic development?
Reply 0 0
Hi Brittny, I'm only an undergraduate science student (so I may be (/opinion/a28b071d-

0f2c-4c1b-b1cc-e28be1ed8545.aspx)
Damien To says:
March 26, 2016 at 9:15 AM (/opinion/a28b071d-0f2c-4c1b-b1cc-e28be1ed8545.aspx)
Hi Brittny,
I'm only an undergraduate science student (so I may be wrong!) but we learnt recently
that our genetic make-up doesn't change over the course of our life, it is xed from
birth. What can change is the way our genes are expressed (or behave).
Epigenetics are like a switch that allows certain genes to be switched on or o . Often we
want them to be switched o (or suppressed). For example, having a genetic disposition
Search
to easily gain weight, is not very (/life-sciences/search)
useful when living in a culture with abundant food.
The environments that in uence these genes include your body's own internal
environment and any environment outside of your body (your mother's womb, your
home, your city etc).
Smoking, (for example) may turn o the gene that suppresses tumour growth. DNA
methylation allows the body to repair (or turn o ) those switches. When we are born,
di toerent
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your either switched on or o . Some
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to browse determine
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suppress disease, and may not be able to be changed due to an abnormality occurring
during the embryonic process.
Hope that helps.
Reply 1 0
The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily re ect the views and
opinions of News-Medical.Net.
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