Overview:

DNMT3B or DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 3 beta encodes a DNA methyltransferase which is thought to function in de novo methylation, rather than maintenance methylation. DNMT3B can methylate unmethylated and hemimethylated DNA with equal efficiencies (1). DNMT3B localizes primarily to the nucleus and its expression is developmentally regulated and is required for genome wide de novo methylation and is essential for mammalian development (2). Mutations in DNMT3B casue the immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome.

Gene Aliases:

ICF; ICF1; M.HsaIIIB

Genbank Number:

BC111933

References:

1. Yanagisawa, Y. et al: The human DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B have two types of promoters with different CpG contents. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1577: 457-465, 2002.

2. Okano, M. et al: DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b are essential for de novo methylation and mammalian development. Cell 99: 247-257, 1999.