Download MendeleyStructural insights into plant DNA CG methylation maintenance by MET1.
Zhang, Z., Li, W., Liu, Y., Chi, C., Nan, J., Wang, C., Zhu, Y., Zhao, J., Xue, Y., Li, Y., Wang, P., Zhai, J., Du, J.(2025) Plant Cell 37
- PubMed: 41082561
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf244
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9V4O, 9V4P - PubMed Abstract:
DNA methylation plays critical roles in eukaryotic gene silencing, genome defense, and the suppression of transposable elements. During DNA replication, DNA methylation is diluted and must therefore be restored through maintenance DNA methylation. In plants, in addition to symmetric CG methylation, non-CG methylation is also abundant, with the maintenance of each DNA methylation pattern employing different pathways. Here, we investigate the molecular basis of CG maintenance methylation by plant METHYLTRANSFERASE 1 (MET1), an ortholog of mammalian DNA Methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). The cryogenic electron microscopy structure of full-length Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) MET1 reveals a unique autoinhibitory mechanism that is distinct from that of DNMT1. The structure of the MET1 catalytic domain in complex with hemimethylated substrate DNA suggests specific recognition of hemimethylated CG DNA and reveals the catalytic mechanism. Overall, our study illuminates the molecular basis of MET1 autoinhibition and its preference for hemimethylated DNA substrates.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering and Molecular Design, Institute of Plant and Food Science and Institute for Biological Electron Microscopy, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
Organizational Affiliation:
