The present study highlights the importance of DNA methylation profile at DNMT3L promoter not only as a promising biomarker for cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women worldwide, but also provides insight into the possible role of DNMT3L in cancer development.
Previously we had discovered loss of DNA methylation at the DNMT3L promoter, an enzymatically-inactive DNA methyltransferase, in squamous cell carcinoma of cervix indicating association between cancer and DNMT3L.
We also discuss possible connections between DNMT3L and non-coding RNA-mediated epigenetic remodelling, the roles of DNMT3L in germ cell development and the implications in stem cell and cancer research.