Ever since the discovery of DNA methylation at cytosine residues, the role of this so called
fifth base has been extensively studied and debated. Until recently, the majority of DNA …

DNA methylation is of paramount importance for mammalian embryonic development. DNA
methylation has numerous functions: it is implicated in the repression of transposons and …

Both DNA methylation and histone modification are involved in establishing patterns of gene
repression during development. Certain forms of histone methylation cause local formation …

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification which plays an important role in chromatin
organization and gene expression. DNA methylation can silence genes and repetitive …

Although the field of genetics has grown by leaps and bounds within the last decade due to
the completion and availability of the human genome sequence, transcriptional regulation …

The occurrence of 5-methylcytosine in DNA was first described in 1948 by Hotchkiss (see
first chapter). Recognition of its possible physiologi cal role in eucaryotes was first …

Genetic, biochemical and cytological studies on DNA methylation in several eukaryotic
organisms have resulted in leaps of understanding in the past three years. Discoveries of …

DNA methylation alterations are now widely recognized as a contributing factor in human
tumorigenesis. A significant number of tumor suppressor genes are transcriptionally …

DNA methylation is associated with the silencing of gene expression. The predominant
mechanism involves the methylation of DNA and the subsequent recruitment of binding …

We have developed a strategy to introduce in vitro-methylated DNA into defined
chromosomal locations. Using this system, we examined the effects of methylation on …