5-methylcytosine in Eukaryotic DNA
Abstract
A small portion of the cytosine residues in the DNA of higher eukaryotes as well as in that of many lower eukaryotes is methylated. The resulting 5-methylcytosine residues occur in specific sequences in the DNA, usually adjacent to guanine residues on the 3' side. This methylation of eukaryotic DNA has been proposed to function in many ways, including control of transcription, maintenance of chromosome structure, repair of DNA, establishment of preferred sites for mutation, oncogenic transformation, and, in certain systems, protection of DNA against enzymatic degradation.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- June 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.6262918
- Bibcode:
- 1981Sci...212.1350E