DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha
Last updated 10 Apr 2023
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The DNMT3A gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha. This enzyme is involved in DNA methylation, which is the addition of methyl groups, consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms, to DNA molecules. In particular, the enzyme helps add methyl groups to DNA building blocks (nucleotides) called cytosines.
Normal function
The DNMT3A gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha. This enzyme is involved in DNA methylation, which is the addition of methyl groups, consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms, to DNA molecules. In particular, the enzyme helps add methyl groups to DNA building blocks (nucleotides) called cytosines.
DNA methylation is important in many cellular functions. These include determining whether the instructions in a particular segment of DNA are carried out or suppressed (gene silencing), regulating reactions involving proteins and fats, and controlling the processing of chemicals that relay signals in the nervous system (neurotransmitters). DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha is particularly important for establishing DNA methylation patterns during development before birth. The enzyme also functions in early cells that can give rise to more mature cell types. In early blood cells, called hematopoietic stem cells, the methylation patterns established by DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha promote maturation (differentiation) into different blood cell types.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A
DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 3 alpha
DNA cytosine methyltransferase 3A2
DNA MTase HsaIIIA
DNM3A_HUMAN
DNMT3A2
M.HsaIIIA
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Further reading and references
- DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Challen GA, Sun D, Jeong M, Luo M, Jelinek J, Berg JS, Bock C, Vasanthakumar A, Gu H, Xi Y, Liang S, Lu Y, Darlington GJ, Meissner A, Issa JP, Godley LA, Li W, Goodell MA. Dnmt3a is essential for hematopoietic stem cell differentiation. Nat Genet. 2011 Dec 4;44(1):23-31. doi: 10.1038/ng.1009.
- Chedin F. The DNMT3 family of mammalian de novo DNA methyltransferases. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2011;101:255-85. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-387685-0.00007-X.
- Grossmann V, Haferlach C, Weissmann S, Roller A, Schindela S, Poetzinger F, Stadler K, Bellos F, Kern W, Haferlach T, Schnittger S, Kohlmann A. The molecular profile of adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: mutations in RUNX1 and DNMT3A are associated with poor prognosis in T-ALL. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2013 Apr;52(4):410-22. doi: 10.1002/gcc.22039. Epub 2013 Jan 23.
- Holz-Schietinger C, Matje DM, Reich NO. Mutations in DNA methyltransferase (DNMT3A) observed in acute myeloid leukemia patients disrupt processive methylation. J Biol Chem. 2012 Sep 7;287(37):30941-51. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.366625. Epub 2012 Jun 21.
- Hsieh CL. The de novo methylation activity of Dnmt3a is distinctly different than that of Dnmt1. BMC Biochem. 2005 Mar 30;6:6. doi: 10.1186/1471-2091-6-6.
- Okamoto N, Toribe Y, Shimojima K, Yamamoto T. Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome due to 2p23 microdeletion. Am J Med Genet A. 2016 May;170A(5):1339-42. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37588. Epub 2016 Feb 11.
- Okano M, Bell DW, Haber DA, Li E. DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b are essential for de novo methylation and mammalian development. Cell. 1999 Oct 29;99(3):247-57. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81656-6.
- Ostrowski PJ, Tatton-Brown K. Tatton-Brown-Rahman Syndrome. 2022 Jun 30. In: Adam MP, Bick S, Mirzaa GM, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2026. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK581652/
- Tatton-Brown K, Seal S, Ruark E, Harmer J, Ramsay E, Del Vecchio Duarte S, Zachariou A, Hanks S, O'Brien E, Aksglaede L, Baralle D, Dabir T, Gener B, Goudie D, Homfray T, Kumar A, Pilz DT, Selicorni A, Temple IK, Van Maldergem L, Yachelevich N; Childhood Overgrowth Consortium; van Montfort R, Rahman N. Mutations in the DNA methyltransferase gene DNMT3A cause an overgrowth syndrome with intellectual disability. Nat Genet. 2014 Apr;46(4):385-8. doi: 10.1038/ng.2917. Epub 2014 Mar 9.
- Xin B, Cruz Marino T, Szekely J, Leblanc J, Cechner K, Sency V, Wensel C, Barabas M, Therriault V, Wang H. Novel DNMT3A germline mutations are associated with inherited Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome. Clin Genet. 2017 Apr;91(4):623-628. doi: 10.1111/cge.12878. Epub 2017 Jan 22.
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