Functions of DNA methyltransferase 3‐like in germ cells and beyond |
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| Authors: | Hung‐Fu Liao Kang‐Yu Tai Wendy S.‐C. Chen Luca C.W. Cheng Hong‐Nerng Ho Shau‐Ping Lin |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan;2. Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan;3. Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University;4. Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan;5. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan;6. Agricultural Biotechnology Research Centre, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan;7. Research Centre for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan;8. Centre for Systems Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan |
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| Abstract: | 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. |
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| Keywords: | DNA Methyltransferases Genomic Imprinting Histone piRNA Retrotransposons |
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