DNA METHYLATION

A chemical modification where a methyl group is added to a stretch of DNA that codes for a gene. This can 'silence' that gene, ie prevent it being expressed. Methylation is important in regulating cell growth and differentiation.This process is very important, Coming into the details it involves the addition of a methyl group to the 5 position of cytosine pyrimidine ring or the number 6 nitrogen of the adenine purine ring (cytosine and adenine are two of the four bases of DNA). This modification can be inherited through cell division.SO as said above Dna methylation is nothing but
addition of a methyl group to the 5 position of the cytosine pyrimidine ring or the number 6 nitrogen of the adenine purine ring.DNA methylation is a crucial part of normal organismal development and cellular differentiation in higher organisms.In addition, DNA methylation suppresses the expression of viral genes and other deleterious elements that have been incorporated into the genome of the host over time.For the past years it has been proved and discovered that long-term memory storage in humans may be regulated by DNA methylation.