methylCpGbindende
MethylCpG binding refers to the process by which proteins recognize and bind to methylated cytosine residues within DNA. Specifically, the binding occurs at CpG dinucleotides where the cytosine base has been modified by the addition of a methyl group. This epigenetic modification plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. MethylCpG-binding proteins are a diverse group of proteins that act as intermediaries, translating the signal of DNA methylation into functional consequences for the cell.
These proteins are essential for various cellular processes, including transcriptional repression, chromatin remodeling, and X-chromosome inactivation.