Methylation

Methylation is a form of alkylation involving the transfer of a methyl group from one molecule to another. It is a crucial part of many biological processes and can influence gene expression.

Biochemistry

In biochemistry, methylation is catalyzed by enzymes; such methylation can be involved in modification of heavy metals, regulation of gene expression, regulation of protein function, and RNA processing. Methylation of DNA and proteins is a common method of regulating the expression of genes.

DNA methylation

DNA methylation is a biochemical process that is important for normal development in higher organisms. It involves the addition of a methyl group to the cytosine or adenine DNA nucleotides. DNA methylation can change the activity of a DNA segment without changing the sequence.

Protein methylation

Protein methylation typically takes place on arginine or lysine amino acid residues in the protein sequence. Arginine can be methylated once (monomethylated arginine) or twice, with either both methyl groups on one terminal nitrogen (asymmetric dimethylarginine) or one on both nitrogens (symmetric dimethylarginine), by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs).

RNA methylation

RNA methylation is the process by which methyl groups are transferred to RNA molecules. RNA methylation is a process that occurs in the cells of all organisms. It is a process that is vital for the proper functioning of the RNA molecules.

See also

• Epigenetics
• Histone methylation
• Methylome
• Methyltransferase

References

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