DNA methylation

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DNA Methylation

DNA methylation (pronounced: dee-en-ay meth-uh-lay-shun) is a biological process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule. Methylation can change the activity of a DNA segment without changing the sequence. When located in a gene promoter, DNA methylation typically acts to repress gene transcription.

Etymology

The term "DNA methylation" is derived from the process it describes. "DNA" is an acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic instructions in all living organisms. "Methylation" comes from the word "methyl," which refers to a type of chemical group consisting of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms.

Process

DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to the DNA molecule. This typically occurs at a cytosine residue in a process known as CpG methylation. The methyl group is added by an enzyme known as a DNA methyltransferase. This process can affect the function of the DNA molecule and is a key mechanism in epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

Function

DNA methylation plays a crucial role in cellular processes such as X-chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, repression of transposable elements, and aging. It is also involved in various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders.

Related Terms

  • Epigenetics: The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
  • CpG methylation: A type of DNA methylation that occurs at a cytosine residue in a CpG dinucleotide.
  • DNA methyltransferase: An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group to DNA.
  • X-chromosome inactivation: A process by which one of the two copies of the X chromosome present in female mammals is inactivated.
  • Genomic imprinting: An epigenetic phenomenon by which certain genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner.
  • Repression of transposable elements: A mechanism that prevents the movement of transposons within the genome.
  • Aging: The process of becoming older, a process that is genetically determined and environmentally modulated.

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