DNA methylation and gene expression

Abstract

In the field of studies of the mechanisms of gene expression, much recent work using the methods of genetic engineering, have suggested the hypothesis of a role of DNA methylation (on some cytosines) in the control of gene activity. Undermethylation is generally accompanied by gene expression. A review of studies on DNA methylation in some physiopathologic conditions (such as development and cancer) and of recent therapeutic trials in β thalassemia, allows to conclude that there is a correlation between DNA methylation pattern and gene expression, rather than a direct causal effect.