Expanding the Epigenetic Landscape: Novel Modifications of Cytosine in Genomic DNA
- 1Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
- 2Skirball Institute/NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016
- Correspondence: mamta.tahiliani{at}med.nyu.edu
Abstract
Methylation of the base cytosine in DNA is critical for silencing endogenous retroviruses, regulating gene expression, and establishing cellular identity, and has long been regarded as an indelible epigenetic mark. The recent discovery that the ten eleven translocation (TET) proteins can oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) resulting in the formation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and other oxidized cytosine variants in the genome has triggered a paradigm shift in our understanding of how dynamic changes in DNA methylation regulate transcription and cellular differentiation, thus influencing normal development and disease.
- Copyright © 2014 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved
