Methylation is a critical epigenetic modification that plays a central role in chromatin regulation. It involves the addition of a methyl group either to the DNA molecule or to specific amino acid residues on DNA-associated histone proteins. Methylation patterns on DNA and histones are both critical for the organization of chromatin, which, in turn, dictates gene expression and cell fate. DNA methylation primarily occurs at the cytosine residue within CpG dinucleotides, where a methyl group is added to the 5' carbon of the cytosine ring. DNA methylation is generally a repressive epigenetic mark that results in the silencing of gene expression. When CpG islands (regions rich in such CpG dinucleotides) within gene promoters are methylated, it diminishes the binding of transcription factors and other regulatory proteins, effectively extinguishing gene transcription. This is particularly important in regulating genes involved in processes such as cellular differentiation and development as it prevents alternative cell fates being determined by inappropriate gene expression. DNA methylation also contributes to the overall structure of chromatin. Methylated DNA is recognized by proteins called methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) proteins. These MBD proteins can themselves recruit histone modifiers and chromatin remodellers to methylated regions, leading to a more compact and repressive chromatin structure. This compaction prevents access to DNA by the transcriptional machinery and further reinforces gene repression. DNA methylation is essential for the regulation of X-chromosome inactivation in females. In this process, one of the X chromosomes in each cell is inactivated, and this process is controlled by DNA methylation. Methylation of specific regions on the inactive X chromosome helps maintain its repressive state, ensuring that only one X chromosome is active in each cell. Incomplete inactivation can result in the overexpression of X-linked recessive genes on one of the X chromosomes, leading to the manifestation of X-linked recessive disorders in females including haemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and colour blindness. DNA methylation also regulates genomic imprinting, the process whereby specific genes are expressed based on their parental origin. Differential methylation of imprinted genes in sperm and egg cells leads to parent-specific gene expression in offspring with implications for embryonic development and metabolism. In addition to DNA methylation, methylation of histone proteins is another important factor in chromatin regulation. Histone methylation can either activate or repress gene expression, depending on the specific amino acid residue and degree of methylation. For example, methylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me) is associated with transcriptional activation, whilst methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me) or lysine 27 (H3K27me) is linked to gene repression. These marks also serve as binding sites for various effector proteins, influencing chromatin state and gene expression. Methylation patterns on DNA and histones can both be inherited through cell divisions, providing epigenetic memory. This memory is critical in maintaining cell identity and in regulating tissue-specific gene expression. Finally, aberrant DNA methylation patterns are associated with various diseases, including cancer, where the loss of normal epigenetic control can lead to tumorigenesis. We provide a comprehensive product range of research tools for studying DNA methylation, including ERG antibodies, WDR5 antibodies, PRMT5 antibodies, PRDM14 antibodies, and PRMT7 antibodies. Explore our full DNA methylation product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our Lysine Methylation, Arginine Methylation, and Lysine Demethylation product ranges.