[HTML][HTML] Ascorbate induces Ten-Eleven Translocation (Tet) methylcytosine dioxygenase-mediated generation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine*♦

EA Minor, JI Young, G Wang - Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2013 - ASBMB
Ascorbate (vitamin C) is best known for its role in scurvy, in which the hydroxylation of
collagen catalyzed by dioxygenases is incomplete due to ascorbate deficiency. Here, we
report a novel function of ascorbate in the hydroxylation of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) to 5-
hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in DNA catalyzed by Tet (ten-eleven translocation)
methylcytosine dioxygenase. The content of 5-hmC is extremely low in mouse embryonic
fibroblasts cultured in ascorbate-free medium. Additions of ascorbate dose-and time …