Methylation

Methylation is a type of chemical reaction in which one or more hydrogen atoms of a molecule are replaced by a methyl group, which is a carbon atom with three hydrogen atoms attached to it. This process is important in cellular metabolism and DNA modification, and is integral to numerous biological processes, including gene expression, metabolic regulation, and epigenetic regulation. In addition, methylation can influence the structure of DNA, helping to control which genes are active. Abnormal methylation patterns can lead to various diseases, including cancer. Knowledge of methylation can help in diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.