DNMT3L

DNMT3L

A gene on chromosome 21q22.3 that encodes a nuclear protein with similarity to DNA methyltransferases, which is not thought to function as a DNA methyltransferase, as it lacks the amino acid residues needed for methyltransferase activity, but does stimulate de novo methylation by DNA cytosine methyltransferase 3 alpha and is required for establishing maternal genomic imprints. It also mediates transcriptional repression by interacting with histone deacetylase 1.