Fig. 1, Part 1

Functions of DNA methylation in mammals

  • Transcriptional gene silencing

  • Chromatin compaction

  • Genome stability

  • Suppression of homologous recombination between repeats

  • Genome defense

  • X chromosome inactivation (females)

   DNA helix with Methyl groups   Methyl groups
(red) in DNA
(provided by
Dr. Craig Cooney)

 
DNA Methylation Reaction Catalyzed by DNA Methyltransferase (DNMT)

DNA Methylation Reaction