REVIEW: DNA Methyltransferases and Structural-Functional Specificity of Eukaryotic DNA Modification

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Ya. I. Buryanov^* and T. V. Shevchuk

Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Pushchino Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. Nauki 6, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; fax: (8-27) 33-0527; E-mail: buryanov@fibkh.serpukhov.su

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received October 27, 2004

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Properties of the main families of mammalian, plant, and fungal DNA methyltransferases are considered. Structural-functional specificity of eukaryotic genome sequences methylated by DNA methyltransferases is characterized. The total methylation of cytosine in DNA sequences is described, as well as its relation with RNA interference. Mechanisms of regulation of expression and modulation of DNA methyltransferase activity in the eukaryotic cell are discussed.

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KEY WORDS: DNA, methylation, DNA methyltransferases, CpG, CpNpG, and CpNpN sequences, structure, functions, eukaryotes

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