Role of TET3 and 5hmC in the small intestinal epithelium homeostasis

The Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes oxidize the DNA base 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). This DNA hydroxymethylation process generates a stable epigenetic mark, the 5hmC, that is able to regulate gene transcription. In fact, TET proteins and the 5hmC modification are relevant during embryonic development and cellular differentiation. Specifically, in the case of the small intestinal epithelium, the highest DNA hydroxymethylation levels are found at the villus, where 5hmC is preferentially deposited at genes that define mature enterocytes. However, the specific function of each of the TET enzymes in this tissue still needs to be investigated. In this context,…