[DNA methylation in vertebrate embryogenesis].

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that regulates temporal and spatial expression of genes for controlling cell fate and differentiation. Recently, DNA methylation has been demonstrated to be required for vertebrate early embryogenesis. Loss of Dnmt genes in zebrafish and mice caused defects in organogenesis and tissue terminal differentiation. This paper summarizes the dynamic expression pattern of Dnmt genes and the roles of DNA methylation from early embryogenesis to organogenesis in both mice and zebrafish, specifically, how DNA methylation and histone modifications cooperatively regulate gene transcription during these processes. Better understanding of DNA methylation in vertebrate embryogenesis will provide insights for new treatment of DNA methylation-related human diseases.