Methylation in DNA and gene expression

Question

6) What happens when you methylate the DNA. specifically, what happens to the gene expression

Answer 1

Good morning Raj,

 

Usually methylation prevents transcription and therefore, it inhibits gene expression. DNA, especially the promoter region of the gene in questions becomes unavailable to transcription factors and co-factors since the binding site changes its configuration due to addition of methyl groups or methylation. Therefore, the promoter is deactivated and the gene expression is impaired, it would be completely abolished based on extent of methylation. For instance, there would be some leaky expression if methylation is partial.

 

Hope this helps.