DNA Methylation

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that plays significant roles in regulating gene expression, genomic stability, and cellular identity. It involves the addition of a methyl group (CH3) to the cytosine base of DNA, primarily at CpG dinucleotides. DNA methylation is catalysed by a family of enzymes called DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) that include DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B. DNA methylation primarily occurs at CpG dinucleotides clustered in regions called CpG islands and found in the promoter regions of genes. DNMT1 is often referred to as the maintenance methyltransferase as it maintains the methylation patterns during DNA replication, whilst DNMT3A and DNMT3B are described as de novo methyltransferases as they are mainly responsible for establishing new DNA methylation patterns during development and differentiation. DNMTs transfer a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the carbon atom of the cytosine's fifth position, forming 5-methylcytosine (5mC). DNA methylation patterns can be stably inherited through cell divisions, ensuring the transmission of epigenetic information from one cell generation to the next. DNA methylation also directly impacts gene expression. Generally, high levels of methylation at gene promoters inhibit transcription by preventing the binding of transcription factors and RNA polymerase to DNA. Conversely, low levels of methylation, or demethylation of methylated regions, can activate gene expression. Functionally, DNA methylation plays a critical role in cellular differentiation and development. As cells begin to specialize into different types (e.g., muscle cells, nerve cells), during development their DNA methylation patterns change to silence genes associated with alternative cell fates. In addition, DNA methylation is thought to help maintain genomic stability by suppressing the expression of transposable elements, a specialised repetitive DNA sequence that, if activated, can move to different areas of the genome, and potentially disrupt gene expression. DNA methylation is involved in the process of genomic imprinting, a phenomenon whereby specific genes are silenced depending on their parental origin. This process affects traits related to growth, development, and behaviour. For example, UBE3A (Ubiquitin Protein Ligase E3A) is an imprinted gene with the paternal allele of UBE3A typically methylated and silenced, whilst the maternal allele is unmethylated and active. UBE3A is normally involved in protein degradation and is associated with Angelman syndrome when the maternal allele is disrupted. In females, one of the two X chromosomes is randomly inactivated in each cell to achieve dosage compensation. DNA methylation plays a role in this process, silencing one of the X chromosomes. Aberrant DNA methylation, on the other hand, is associated with various diseases, including cancer. For example, hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes and hypomethylation of oncogenes can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. In other diseases, such as neurological disorders and autoimmune conditions, abnormal DNA methylation patterns have been observed, for example, in Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Environmental factors, such as diet, stress, and exposure to toxins, can influence DNA methylation patterns. For example, maternal diet during pregnancy can impact the risk of obesity in offspring through epigenetic changes. Thus, epigenetic changes can have lasting effects on health and disease susceptibility. We offer a wide product range of research reagents for investigating DNA methylation, including PCNA antibodies, Dnmt1 antibodies, MGMT antibodies, Dnmt3b antibodies, and Dnmt3a antibodies. Explore our full DNA methylation product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our DNMTs, Methylated DNA Binding, and Methylated DNA Associated product ranges.