DNA methyltransferase
class of enzymes
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 change
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.
References change
- ↑ "DNMT1". Gene Symbol Report. HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee. Archived from the original on 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ "DNMT3A". Gene Symbol Report. HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee. Archived from the original on 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ "DNMT3B". Gene Symbol Report. HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee. Archived from the original on 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ Barau J, Teissandier A, Zamudio N, Roy S, Nalesso V, Hérault Y, et al. (November 2016). "The DNA methyltransferase DNMT3C protects male germ cells from transposon activity". Science. 354 (6314): 909–912. Bibcode:2016Sci...354..909B. doi:10.1126/science.aah5143. PMID 27856912. S2CID 30907442.