Disease	Score

Substances	Interaction	Organism	Category

Substances	Interaction	Organism	Category

     cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia Mutations in the DNMT3A gene are associated with a form of blood cancer known as cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML). While large chromosomal abnormalities can be involved in the development of acute myeloid leukemia, about half of cases do not have these abnormalities; these are classified as CN-AML. Up to one-third of people with CN-AML have a mutation in the DNMT3A gene. The DNMT3A gene mutations involved in CN-AML are called somatic mutations; they are found only in cells that become cancerous and are not inherited. Most change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha enzyme. Studies suggest that these changes make the enzyme less able to fully methylate DNA. It is also thought that the altered pattern of methylation in cells changes the activity of several genes; some genes that are normally silenced may be turned on. Researchers speculate that the altered gene activity prevents hematopoietic stem cells from differentiating normally, which leads to the overproduction of abnormal, immature white blood cells characteristic of acute myeloid leukemia. other cancers Somatic DNMT3A gene mutations are also found relatively frequently in another form of blood cancer called T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. As in CN-AML, the mutations disrupt the normal pattern of methylation in cells, which blocks differentiation. It is unclear why some people with DNMT3A gene mutations develop acute myeloid leukemia and others develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

     The DNMT3A gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha. This enzyme is involved in DNA methylation, which is the addition of methyl groups, consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms, to DNA molecules. In particular, the enzyme helps add methyl groups to DNA building blocks (nucleotides) called cytosines. DNA methylation is important in many cellular functions. These include determining whether the instructions in a particular segment of DNA are carried out or suppressed (gene silencing), regulating reactions involving proteins and fats (lipids), and controlling the processing of chemicals that relay signals in the nervous system (neurotransmitters). DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha is particularly important for establishing the initial locations for methylation during development. The enzyme also functions in early cells that can give rise to more mature cell types. In early blood cells, called hematopoietic stem cells, the methylation patterns established by DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha promote maturation (differentiation) into different blood cell types.

Condition	Change (log2fold)	Comparison	Species	Experimental variables	Experiment name

Condition	Change (log2fold)	Comparison	Species	Experimental variables	Experiment name

The following transcription factors affect gene expression:

• ER-alpha
• p53
• Meis-1
• Meis-1b

Tissue specificity:

Highly expressed in fetal tissues, skeletal muscle, heart, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, kidney, and at lower levels in placenta, brain, liver, colon, spleen, small intestine and lung.

Caution:

It is uncertain whether Met-1 or Met-4 is the initiator.

Enzyme Regulation:

Activated by binding to the regulatory factor DNMT3L.

Molecular Function:

• Dna Binding
• Chromatin Binding
• Dna (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase Activity
• Dna-Methyltransferase Activity
• Identical Protein Binding
• Unmethylated Cpg Binding
• Metal Ion Binding
• Dna (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase Activity, Acting On Cpg Substrates

Biological Processes:

• Negative Regulation Of Transcription From Rna Polymerase Ii Promoter
• Mitotic Cell Cycle
• Dna Methylation
• Methylation-Dependent Chromatin Silencing
• Regulation Of Gene Expression By Genetic Imprinting
• Spermatogenesis
• Aging
• Response To Toxic Substance
• Response To Ionizing Radiation
• Response To Lead Ion
• Dna Methylation On Cytosine Within A Cg Sequence
• Positive Regulation Of Cell Death
• Neuron Differentiation
• Response To Estradiol
• Response To Vitamin A
• Response To Cocaine
• Dna Methylation Involved In Embryo Development
• Dna Methylation Involved In Gamete Generation
• Hypermethylation Of Cpg Island
• Negative Regulation Of Gene Expression, Epigenetic
• S-Adenosylhomocysteine Metabolic Process
• S-Adenosylmethioninamine Metabolic Process
• Cellular Response To Amino Acid Stimulus
• Cellular Response To Ethanol
• Cellular Response To Hypoxia
• Hepatocyte Apoptotic Process

*synonyms