Recent Advances
Recent Advances in Deciphering the Mechanisms and Biological Functions of DNA Demethylation
Yang Feng,
Sheng-Jun Chen,
Bi-Feng Yuan,
Yang Feng
Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National R&D Center for Aquatic Product Processing, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510300 China
School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071 China
Search for more papers by this authorSheng-Jun Chen
Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National R&D Center for Aquatic Product Processing, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510300 China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Bi-Feng Yuan
School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071 China
E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorYang Feng,
Sheng-Jun Chen,
Bi-Feng Yuan,
Yang Feng
Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National R&D Center for Aquatic Product Processing, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510300 China
School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071 China
Search for more papers by this authorSheng-Jun Chen
Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National R&D Center for Aquatic Product Processing, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510300 China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Bi-Feng Yuan
School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071 China
E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author†Dedicated to the Special Issue of Single-Atom Catalysis.
Comprehensive Summary
5-Methylcytosine (5mC) is a dynamic and reversible epigenetic modification in genomic DNA of higher eukaryotes. It has been well-established that the demethylation of 5mC occurs through the ten-eleven translocation (TET)-mediated oxidation of 5mC followed by thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG)-initiated base excision repair (BER). Recent findings also have identified an alternative pathway of DNA demethylation. In this pathway, TET enzymes directly oxidize 5mC to form 5-formylcytosine (5fC) or 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC). These modified bases can undergo direct deformylation or decarboxylation, respectively. Additionally, DNA demethylation can also occur through the deamination of 5mC and 5hmC, resulting in the production of thymine and 5-hydroxymethyluracil (5hmU), respectively. Various DNA demethylation pathways possess critical functional implications and roles in biological processes. This Recent Advances article will focus on the studies of mechanisms and biological functions of DNA demethylation, shedding light on the reversible nature of the epigenetic modification of 5mC. 
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