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Functions of DNA methyltransferase 3‐like in germ cells and beyond
Author(s) -
Liao HungFu,
Tai KangYu,
Chen Wendy S.C.,
Cheng Luca C.W.,
Ho HongNerng,
Lin ShauPing
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1111/boc.201100109
Subject(s) - biology , genomic imprinting , epigenetics , retrotransposon , dna methylation , dna methyltransferase , germ cell , reprogramming , imprinting (psychology) , genetics , methyltransferase , epigenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , dna , methylation , genome , cell , transposable element , gene , gene expression
DNA methyltransferase 3‐like (DNMT3L) is one of the key players in de novo DNA methylation of imprinting control elements and retrotransposons, which occurs after genome‐wide epigenetic erasure during germ cell development. In this review, we summarise the biochemical properties of DNMT3L and discuss the possible mechanisms behind DNMT3L‐mediated imprinting establishment and retrotransposon silencing in germ cells. We also discuss possible connections between DNMT3L and non‐coding RNA‐mediated epigenetic remodelling, the roles of DNMT3L in germ cell development and the implications in stem cell and cancer research.