DNA Methylation: Shared and Divergent Features across Eukaryotes

Robert J Schmitz; Zachary A Lewis; Mary G Goll

doi:10.1016/j.tig.2019.07.007

DNA Methylation: Shared and Divergent Features across Eukaryotes

Trends Genet. 2019 Nov;35(11):818-827. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2019.07.007. Epub 2019 Aug 6.

Authors

Robert J Schmitz¹, Zachary A Lewis², Mary G Goll³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
² Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
³ Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. Electronic address: Mary.Goll@uga.edu.

Abstract

Chemical modification of nucleotide bases in DNA provides one mechanism for conveying information in addition to the genetic code. 5-methylcytosine (5mC) represents the most common chemically modified base in eukaryotic genomes. Sometimes referred to simply as DNA methylation, in eukaryotes 5mC is most prevalent at CpG dinucleotides and is frequently associated with transcriptional repression of transposable elements. However, 5mC levels and distributions are variable across phylogenies, and emerging evidence suggests that the functions of DNA methylation may be more diverse and complex than was previously appreciated. We summarize the current understanding of DNA methylation profiles and functions in different eukaryotic lineages.

Keywords: 5-methylcytosine; DNA methylation; DNA methyltransferases; DNMT; gene body DNA methylation; genome integrity; genomic imprinting; heterochromatin.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

DNA Methylation*
Epigenesis, Genetic
Eukaryota / genetics*
Gene Expression Regulation*
Genome
Genomics / methods

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

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