- "Methylation of DNA (not to be confused with histone methylation) is a common epigenetic signaling tool that cells use to lock genes in the 'off' position."
- DNA methylation occurs at the cytosine bases of eukaryotic DNA, which are converted to 5-methylcytosine by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes.
- ...methylation near gene promoters varies considerably depending on cell type, with more methylation of promoters correlating with low or no transcription.
- Although patterns of DNA methylation appear to be relatively stable in somatic cells, patterns of histone methylation can change rapidly during the course of the cell cycle. Despite this difference, several studies have indicated that DNA methylation and histone methylation at certain positions are connected.
- Tumor suppressor genes are often silenced in cancer cells due to hypermethylation.
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The Role of Methylation in Gene Expression. Theresa Phillips, Ph.D. 2008, Nature Education.
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