Active DNA demethylation by oxidation and repair

• 来源期刊: 细胞研究（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2011,（12）
• 页码范围: 1649-1651
• 页数: 3页
• 语种: 英文
• DOI: 10.1038/cr.2011.140

摘要

DNA methylation and demethylation are increasingly recognized as important epigenetic factors in both plants and animals.DNA methylation,which is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs),is a relatively stable and heritable modification that controls gene expression,cellular differentiation,genomic imprinting,paramutation,transposon movement,X-inactivation,and embryogenesis [1].The methylation of cytosine to 5-methylcytosine (5mC) is an important example of DNA modification in animals and plants.This highlight concerns DNA demethylation mechanisms in mammals and whether they are similar to that in plants.