Methyltransferases

Methyltransferases are enzymes that add a small chemical group called a methyl group (CH3) to molecules, particularly DNA, RNA, and proteins. This process is crucial for regulating gene expression, influencing how genes are turned on or off, and affecting various biological functions. Methylation, the addition of methyl groups, can change how genes are read by cells without altering the actual DNA sequence. This makes methyltransferases important in processes like development, cellular differentiation, and even disease mechanisms, as they play a role in controlling which proteins are produced and how cells respond to signals.