Enhancer DNA methylation: implications for gene regulation

DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to the fifth carbon of the pyrimidine cytosine ring (5-methylcytosine, 5mC). 5mC is widespread in vertebrate genomes where it is predominantly found within CpG dinucleotides. In mammals, 5mC participates in long-term silencing processes such as X-chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, somatic silencing of germline genes, and silencing of repetitive DNA elements. The evidence for 5mC...