Biopolymers and cell. 2005; 21 (6): 463 - 472

Methyltransferases of plants

E. N. Tishchenko, O. V. Dubrovnaya

In the review the current data on the plant cytosine-C5-DNA-methyltransferases (methyltransferase) are summarized. Three different classes of these enzymes ─ Dnmt1/MET1, Dnmt3 and CMT are discribed. The proposed function, dealing with maintenance and de novo methylation of cytosine residues in symmetric and asymmetric motifs of DNA, is under discussion.

Key words: methylation, cytosine, methyltransferase.