MTase is highly expressed in the brain, particularly in hippocampus and cerebellum. To study the potential role of the enzyme in postnatal brain function, we are deriving mice carrying a Dnmt1 deletion in specific regions of the brain. Finally we are investigating the function in the CNS of neurotrophins such as BDNF and NT-3, which are highly expressed in specific regions of the brain. However, deletion of these genes does not result in a CNS defect. To study the role of neurotrophins in the postnatal brain, we have generated lineage specific mutations of BDNF and NT-3.
Mutant mice become obese and develop behavioral abnormalities.
Laird, P.W., Jackson-Grusby, L., Fazeli, A., Dickinson, S., Jung, W.E., Li, E., Weinberg, R. and Jaenisch, R. Suppression of intestinal neoplasia by DNA hypomethylation.