The evolution of ideas on the biological role of 5-methylcytosine oxidative derivatives in the mammalian genome

Summary: In this review, we summarize data on 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine – cytosine modifications which are produced by TET-mediated oxidation of 5-methylcytosine in DNA. We show the biochemistry of modified cytosine as well as methods for its global and location analysis. We also highlight the milestones in the evolution of ideas on the biological role of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine in the mammalian genome since their discovery in 2009 till present