Disentangling DNA methylation

Abstract

Traditionally, DNA methylation has been thought of as being involved in gene silencing, but work in recent years has shown a more complex picture, and the relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression remains unclear. Furthermore, as DNA methylation can be influenced by developmental and environmental factors, its relationship to genetic variation is also uncertain. A recent study of samples from a human cohort has sought to dissect these issues and highlights the context-dependent nature of DNA methylation and its functions.