DNAmetyylitransferaaseja

DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mechanism that plays a crucial role in gene regulation and cellular function. It involves the addition of a methyl group to a cytosine base, most commonly within a CpG dinucleotide context. This process is catalyzed by a family of enzymes known as DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). DNMTs are responsible for establishing and maintaining DNA methylation patterns throughout the genome.

There are several key DNMT enzymes in mammals, including DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B. DNMT1 is considered the maintenance methyltransferase, as it preferentially methylates hemi-methylated DNA during replication, ensuring the faithful inheritance of methylation patterns across cell divisions. DNMT3A and DNMT3B, on the other hand, are de novo methyltransferases, responsible for establishing new methylation patterns in response to developmental cues or environmental signals. Aberrant DNA methylation is implicated in a wide range of diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and developmental abnormalities. Understanding the function and regulation of DNMTs is therefore essential for both basic biological research and the development of therapeutic strategies.