Evolution of eukaryotic DNA methylation and the pursuit of safer sex

Assaf Zemach; Daniel Zilberman

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2010.07.007

Evolution of eukaryotic DNA methylation and the pursuit of safer sex

Curr Biol. 2010 Sep 14;20(17):R780-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.07.007.

Authors

Assaf Zemach¹, Daniel Zilberman

Affiliation

¹ Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.

PMID: 20833323
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.07.007

Abstract

Cytosine methylation is an ancient process with conserved enzymology but diverse biological functions that include defense against transposable elements and regulation of gene expression. Here we will discuss the evolution and biological significance of eukaryotic DNA methylation, the likely drivers of that evolution, and major remaining mysteries.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
DNA Methylation*
Evolution, Molecular*
Phylogeny