Anti-DNA Methyltransferase-2 (Dnmt 2)

Methylation of DNA at cytosine residues plays an important role in regulation of gene expression, genomic imprinting and is essential for mammalian development. Hypermethylation of CpG islands in tumor suppressor genes or hypomethylation of bulk genomic DNA may be linked with development of cancer. To date, 3 families of mammalian DNA methyltransferase genes have been identified which include Dnmt1, Dnmt2 and Dnmt3. Dnmt1 is constitutively expressed in proliferating cells and inactivation of this gene causes global demethylation of genomic DNA and embryonic lethality. Dnmt2 is expressed at low levels in adult tissues and its inactivation does not affect DNA methylation or maintenance of methylation. Dnmt2 contains all the sequence motifs diagnostic of DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferases but appears to lack the large N-terminal regulatory domain common to other eukaryotic methyltransferases. Applications: Can be used for detection of mouse and human Dnmt2 by Western blotting. Western blot analysis for Dnmt2a using antibody at 2ug/ml dilution against 10ug of mouse testes lysates. A protein band of approximate mol. wt. of 42kD is detected. Recommended Dilution: Western blot: 2ug/ml, Storage and Stability: May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. For long-term storage and to avoid repeated freezing and thawing, aliquot and add glycerol (40-50%). Freeze at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for at least 12 months at -20°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.