Medicina Molecular e Genética

DNMT1 and Genomic Instability in Cancer

Abstract

Viviana Barra

DNA (cytosine 5-) MethylTransferase 1 (DNMT1) maintains the pre-existing methyl marks onto daughter strands by faithfully copying the methylation pattern from hemimethylated DNA during replication phase. The fundamental role of DNA methylation in cell physiology makes a controlled regulation of DNMT1 necessary. DNMT1 loss and global DNA hypomethylation are correlated with genomic instability in cancer. This mini review aims to provide a scenario of the mechanisms whereby DNMT1 dysfunction could induce https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/genomics-of-colorectal-cancer-in-african-americans-2469-9853-1000133.php?aid=80577 instability so as to clarify its functions and understand the dynamics of DNA methylation at cellular level with a focus on cancer.