Methylated DNA and its role in recruiting chromatin binding proteins are central aspects of epigenetic regulation. DNA methylation occurs when a methyl group is added to the carbon 5 position of cytosine residues in a CpG dinucleotide context. This modification is catalysed by DNA methyltransferase enzymes (DNMTs) and typically results in the repression of gene transcription when occurring in gene promoter regions. Methylated DNA also serves an additional purpose as a recognition signal for various chromatin binding proteins, which play roles in gene regulation and genome maintenance. One prominent group of chromatin binding proteins that interacts with methylated DNA is the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) family. MBD proteins, including MeCP2, MBD1, MBD2, MBD3, and MBD4, possess specific domains that recognize and bind methylated CpG sites. For example, MeCP2 (Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2) binds to methylated DNA and can recruit other chromatin-modifying enzymes and transcriptional co-repressors to establish a repressive chromatin environment. MeCP2's binding is often associated with gene silencing and the maintenance of heterochromatin and maintains gene silencing in neuronal cells, with mutations in MeCP2 linked to the neurological disorder Rett syndrome. Chromatin remodelling complexes, such as the NuRD (Nucleosome Remodelling and Deacetylase) complex, often also contain subunits with MBPs. These complexes can be recruited to methylated DNA, leading to changes in nucleosome positioning and chromatin structure. They can also facilitate histone deacetylation, further contributing to gene repression. Polycomb group proteins, including Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), are chromatin-binding proteins involved in gene silencing and the maintenance of epigenetic memory. DNA methylation and MBPs can interact with Polycomb group proteins, leading to stable repression of target genes. Another group of proteins associated with methylated DNA are the chromodomain-containing proteins. These proteins, including HP1 (Heterochromatin Protein 1), recognize histone modifications like H3K9me3, which often co-occur with DNA methylation in heterochromatic regions. HP1 can, in turn, recruit other chromatin modifiers leading to gene repression and genome stability. Moreover, some transcription factors have evolved to bind methylated DNA. The zinc finger protein, Kaiso, for example, specifically recognizes methylated CpG sites using its DNA-binding domain, allowing it to interact with methylated DNA and participate in gene regulation processes. DNA methylation can also impact the binding of transcription factors indirectly. Methylated CpG sites in gene promoters can hinder the binding of transcription factors to their target sequences, thereby inhibiting gene expression. DNA methylation patterns are dynamically regulated during development and cellular differentiation. Chromatin binding proteins that interact with methylated DNA play important roles here. For example, during embryonic development, DNA demethylation events occur activating specific genes required for differentiation. Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes, which oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), are involved in this process. Proteins like MBD3, a component of the nucleosome remodelling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex, similarly help to coordinate DNA methylation changes during differentiation. Finally, certain chromatin-binding proteins, like CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor), can recognize methylated DNA at specific sites. CTCF, for example, can act as a chromatin insulator and participate in the formation of chromatin loops, regulating interactions between enhancers and promoters. We provide a large product range of research reagents for studying methylated DNA, including KAP1 antibodies, and CBX4 antibodies. Explore our full methylated DNA product range below and discover more, for less.