Cited by 705Epigenetics and DNA MethylationGenomics and Chromatin DynamicsGenetic Syndromes and Imprinting

Genomic profiling of DNA methyltransferases reveals a role for DNMT3B in genic methylation

Baubec, Tuncay, Colombo, Daniele F., Wirbelauer, Christiane, Schmidt, Juliane, Burger, Lukas, Krebs, Arnaud R., Akalin, Altuna, Schübeler, Dirk·2015·Nature

Abstract

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification associated with transcriptional repression of promoters and is essential for mammalian development. Establishment of DNA methylation is mediated by the de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B, whereas DNMT1 ensures maintenance of methylation through replication. Absence of these enzymes is lethal, and somatic mutations in these genes have been associated with several human diseases. How genomic DNA methylation patterns are regulated remains poorly understood, as the mechanisms that guide recruitment and activity of DNMTs in vivo are largely unknown. To gain insights into this matter we determined genomic binding and site-specific activity of the mammalian de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B. We show that both enzymes localize to methylated, CpG-dense regions in mouse stem cells, yet are excluded from active promoters and enhancers. By specifically measuring sites of de novo methylation, we observe that enzymatic activity reflects binding. De novo methylation increases with CpG density, yet is excluded from nucleosomes. Notably, we observed selective binding of DNMT3B to the bodies of transcribed genes, which leads to their preferential methylation. This targeting to transcribed sequences requires SETD2-mediated methylation of lysine 36 on histone H3 and a functional PWWP domain of DNMT3B. Together these findings reveal how sequence and chromatin cues guide de novo methyltransferase activity to ensure methylome integrity.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature14176

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  • High levels of DNA methylation on intragenic CGIs are consistent with high levels of DNMT3B binding on intragenic CGIs.

    “As DNMT3B regulates intragenic DNA methylation levels54, high levels of DNA methylation levels are consistent with high levels of DNMT3B binding on intragenic CGIs”
  • Establishment of intragenic 5mC is a controlled process carried out by DNMT3B and the co-transcriptionally regulated histone modification H3K36me.

    “Studies with mESC and a heterologous yeast system found that the establishment of intragenic 5mC is a controlled process carried out by de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B and co-transcriptionally regulated histone modification H3K36me (32, 33).”
  • Interaction between DNMT3B and H3K36me leads to higher levels of intragenic 5mC for active genes in mouse embryonic stem cells.

    “The interaction between DNMT3B and H3K36me leads to greater levels of intragenic 5mC for active genes in mESC (32).”
  • Functional analyses of 5mC have traditionally relied on pharmacological or genetic perturbations that affect 5mC levels genome-wide.

    “Functional analyses of 5mC have traditionally relied on pharmacological or genetic perturbations that affect 5mC levels genome-wide (30, 32).”

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Authors
Baubec, T., Colombo, D. F., Wirbelauer, C., Schmidt, J., Burger, L., Krebs, A. R., Akalin, A., & Schübeler, D.
Affiliations
  • Friedrich Miescher Institute (CH)
  • University of Basel (CH)
Corresponding author
  • Baubec, Tuncay
  • Schübeler, Dirk
Venue
Nature
Published
2015-01-21
Volume
520
Issue
7546
Pages
243-247
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2092116145
Cited by
705
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 48 · 2025: 43 · 2024: 48 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 69 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 70 · 2019: 70 · 2018: 66 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 59 · 2015: 42 · 2012: 1
FWCI
34.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • MDC Repository (Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Syndromes and Imprinting
Keywords
DNMT3A, DNMT3B, de novo methylation, gene body methylation, PWWP domain, H3K36me3, SETD2, histone H3 lysine 36 methylation, mouse embryonic stem cells, chromatin targeting, transcriptional repression, epigenetic regulation
MeSH terms
DNA Methyltransferase 3A, DNA Methyltransferase 3B, Animals, Cell Line, Chromatin, DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases, Enhancer Elements, Genetic, Histones, Lysine, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Protein Binding, Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase, Transcription, Genetic, Genome, Protein Structure, Tertiary, CpG Islands, DNA Methylation, Protein Transport, Genomics, Epigenesis, Genetic, Mice, Embryonic Stem Cells

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