DNA胞嘧啶的甲基化与去甲基化进展

Progresses in DNA Cytosine Methylation and Demethylation

DNA胞嘧啶甲基化调控基因的表达以及多种生物功能,如细胞分化。概念上,DNA去甲基化是将已甲基化DNA核苷转化为未修饰核苷,是DNA甲基化的逆向过程。但在生物体内,这是一个涉及多步反应的非常复杂的过程。本综述简要介绍了动植物中DNA胞嘧啶的甲基化与去甲基化的研究现状,并讨论了恶性肿瘤(癌症)、阿尔茨海默氏病、心血管疾病、肺纤维病变和进食障碍等多种疾病中的甲基化与去甲基化异常。

DNA cytosine methylation regulates gene expression and various biological functions,such as cell differentiation.DNA demethylation is the conversion of methylated DNA nucleosides into unmodified nucleosides,which is the reverse process of DNA methylation.But this is a very complicated process in cells.This review briefly introduces the current research status of DNA cytosine methylation and demethylation,and abnormal methylation and demethylation in many diseases such as pulmonary fibropathy and eating disorders,cancers,Alzheimer’s disease,and cardiovascular diseases.