DNMT3L Antibody from MyBioSource.com

Description: Methylation of DNA at cytosine residues in mammalian cells is a heritable, epigenetic modification that is critical for proper regulation of gene expression, genomic imprinting, and development (1, 2). Three families of mammalian DNA methyltransferases have been identified: DNMT1, DNMT2, and DNMT3 (1, 2). DNMT1 is constitutively expressed in proliferating cells and functions as a maintenance methyltransferase, transferring proper methylation patterns to newly synthesized DNA during replication. DNMT3A and DNMT3B are strongly expressed in embryonic stem cells with reduced expression in adult somatic tissues. DNMT3A and DNMT3B function as de novo methyltransferases that methylate previously unmethylated regions of DNA. DNMT2 is expressed at low levels in adult somatic tissues and its inactivation affects neither de novo nor maintenance DNA methylation.DNMT3L is a catalytically inactive regulatory factor for the DNMT3A and DNMT3B de novo methyltransferases that is expressed at low levels in embryonic stem cells, testis, ovaries, and thymus (1, 2). These de novo methyltransferases consist of a heterotetrameric complex containing two molecules of DNMT3L, and either two molecules of DNMT3A or DNMT3B (3). DNMT3L contains an amino-terminal ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L (ADD) domain and a carboxy-terminal methyltransferase-like domain (4-7). The methyltransferase-like domain binds to DNMT3A and DNMT3B to stimulate catalytic activity by increasing the binding of S-adenosylmethionine and DNA (4, 5). The ADD domain recruits the methyltransferase complex to transcriptionally inactive regions of the genome by binding to unmethylated histone H3 Lys4 (6, 7).
Function: Catalytically inactive regulatory factor of DNA methyltransferases that can either promote or inhibit DNA methylation depending on the context (By similarity). Essential for the function of DNMT3A and DNMT3B: activates DNMT3A and DNMT3B by binding to their catalytic domain (PubMed:17687327). Acts by accelerating the binding of DNA and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to the methyltransferases and dissociates from the complex after DNA binding to the methyltransferases (PubMed:17687327). Recognizes unmethylated histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me0) and induces de novo DNA methylation by recruitment or activation of DNMT3 (PubMed:17687327). Plays a key role in embryonic stem cells and germ cells (By similarity). In germ cells, required for the methylation of imprinted loci together with DNMT3A (By similarity). In male germ cells, specifically required to methylate retrotransposons, preventing their mobilization (By similarity). Plays a key role in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) by acting both as an positive and negative regulator of DNA methylation (By similarity). While it promotes DNA methylation of housekeeping genes together with DNMT3A and DNMT3B, it also acts as an inhibitor of DNA methylation at the promoter of bivalent genes (By similarity). Interacts with the EZH2 component of the PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex, preventing interaction of DNMT3A and DNMT3B with the PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex, leading to maintain low methylation levels at the promoters of bivalent genes (By similarity). Promotes differentiation of ESCs into primordial germ cells by inhibiting DNA methylation at the promoter of RHOX5, thereby activating its expression (By similarity).
Subunit Structure: Homodimer (PubMed:17687327, PubMed:17713477). Heterotetramer composed of 1 DNMT3A homodimer and 2 DNMT3L subunits (DNMT3L-DNMT3A-DNMT3A-DNMT3L) (PubMed:17713477). Interacts with histone H3 (via N-terminus); interaction is strongly inhibited by methylation at lysine 4 (H3K4me) (PubMed:17687327). Interacts with EZH2; the interaction is direct (By similarity)