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Biological aspects of cytosine methylation in eukaryotic cells

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Abstract

The existence in eukaryotes of a fifth base, 5-methylcytosine, and of tissue-specific methylation patterns have been known for many years, but except for a general association with inactive genes and chromatin the exact function of this DNA modification has remained elusive. The different hypotheses regarding the role of DNA methylation in regulation of gene expression, chromatin structure, development, and diseases, including cancer are summarized, and the experimental evidence for them is discussed. Structural and functional properties of the eukaryotic DNA cytosine methyltransferase are also reviewed.

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Abbreviations

Ac:

activator

CRE:

cAMP-responsive element

CREB protein:

cAMP-responsive element binding protein

EC cells:

embryocarcinoma cells

HIV:

human immunodeficiency virus

IGF-II:

insulin-like growth factor II

LTR:

long terminal repeat

5-mC:

5-methyl cytosine

MDBP:

methylated DNA-binding protein

MeCP:

methyl-CpG binding protein

MEL cells:

murine erythroleukemia cells

NHP-1:

non-histone protein-1

SDR:

sequence-specificity determining region

TF:

transcription factor

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  1. Institut für Molekularbiologie II der Universität Zürich, Hönggerberg, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland

    M. Hergersberg

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  1. M. Hergersberg
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Hergersberg, M. Biological aspects of cytosine methylation in eukaryotic cells. Experientia 47, 1171–1185 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01918381

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01918381

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