DNA甲基化作用模式及生物学效应

Patterns and Biological Effects of DNA Methylation

表观遗传学为分子遗传学研究的一个新热点。DNA甲基化是表观遗传学的核心领域之一,近年来获得了迅速的发展。概述了真核生物DNA甲基化的模式特点、参与DNA甲基化模式改变与维持的酶类及DNA甲基化分析的方法等,同时对DNA甲基化的生物学效应,如基因表达调控和生物进化调节进行了讨论,并对不同效应的应用前景进行了简要探讨。

Epigenetics is a new hotspot of molecular genetics.DNA methylation has become one of the most important areas of epigenetics.Great progress has been made recently in this area.This paper summarizes some important aspects of DNA methylation,including its characteristics,methyltransferase in DNA methylation and mapping methods.Meanwhile,the biological effects of DNA methylation,such as regulation of gene expression and adjustment to evolution are reviewed.Finally,applications of different DNA methylation effects are given a brief discussion.