Cytosine-C5 specific DNA methylases; Methyl transfer reactions play an important role in many aspects of biology. Cytosine-specific DNA methylases are found both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. DNA methylation, or the covalent addition of a methyl group to cytosine within the context of the CpG dinucleotide, has profound effects on the mammalian genome. These effects include transcriptional repression via inhibition of transcription factor binding or the recruitment of methyl-binding proteins and their associated chromatin remodeling factors, X chromosome inactivation, imprinting and the suppression of parasitic DNA sequences. DNA methylation is also essential for proper embryonic development and is an important player in both DNA repair and genome stability.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",