Epigenetic Regulation of Methylation in Determining the Fate of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Figure 3

Schematic representation of DNA methylation patterning. DNA methylation is exerted by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), including DNMT1, DNMT3L, DNMT3B, and DNMT3A. DNMTs at the cytosine residue at the 5-position in CpG dinucleotides transfer methyl groups and generate 5-methylcytosine (5-mC). DNA demethylation involves the successive oxidation of 5-mC to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) by Ten–eleven translocation (TET) family, including TET1, TET2, and TET3. Thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) could convert 5-hmC back to make the cytosine totally unmethylated.