TET proteins and 5-methylcytosine oxidation in the immune system

Abstract

DNA methylation in the form of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) is essential for normal development in mammals and influences a variety of biological processes, including transcriptional regulation, imprinting, and the maintenance of genomic stability. The recent discovery of TET proteins, which oxidize 5mC to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine, has changed our understanding of the process of DNA demethylation. Here, we summarize our current knowledge of the roles of DNA methylation and TET proteins in cell differentiation and function. The intensive research on this subject has so far focused primarily on embryonic stem (ES) cells and neurons. In addition, we summarize what is known about DNA methylation in T-cell function. © 2013 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.