DNA methyltransferase
DNA methyltransferase (DNA MTase, DNMT) is a family of enzymes, They catalyze the transfer of a methyl group to DNA.
DNA methylation has many biological functions.
Mammals
Three active DNA methyltransferases have been identified in mammals. They are named DNMT1,[1] DNMT3a,[2] and DNMT3b.[3] Recently, a fourth enzyme DNMT3c has been discovered specifically expressed in the male germline in the mouse.[4]
What these enzymes do is make DNA methylation work. DNA methylation is how methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule. Methylation can change the activity of a DNA segment without changing the sequence. When positioned in a gene promoter, DNA methylation acts to stop gene transcription.
DNA Methyltransferase Media
Some repression signals on a nucleosome.
References
- ↑ DNMT1. Gene Symbol ReportHUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ DNMT3A. Gene Symbol ReportHUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ DNMT3B. Gene Symbol ReportHUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ The DNA methyltransferase DNMT3C protects male germ cells from transposon activity. Science 354 (6314) (November 2016). p. 909–912. doi:10.1126/science.aah5143.