Cytosine is a molecule found in DNA and RNA, which are the building blocks of life. It is one of the four chemicals (bases) that make up our genetic code. Full definition
Methylation of cytosine bases is an epigenetic mechanism by which gene expression is regulated. (massgenomics.org)
These «epigenetic» regulatory mechanisms include DNA methylation, the attachment of a small molecule termed a methyl group to cytosine bases that shuts down the action of a gene containing them. (sciencedaily.com)
Furthermore, high - resolution analysis of cytosine methylation in primary and transformed cells has found less aberrant methylation of CpG island promoters in transformed cells than had been previously hypothesized based on candidate gene studies [58]. (journals.plos.org)