The emerging role of DNA methylation in the pathogenicity of bacterial pathogens

Uncovering the mechanisms regulating the pathogenicity of bacterial pathogens can help improve diagnostic capabilities and aid the development of new drugs, both of which are crucial for reducing the burden caused by bacterial infections. In recent years, with advancements in third-generation sequencing technologies, increasing evidence has shown that DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenicity of bacterial pathogens. We believe that the key DNA methyltransferases involved in pathogenicity represent promising targets for antimicrobial therapies and that the DNA methylation sites involved in bacterial pathogenicity are important biomarkers for diagnosing bacterial infections. In this review, we summarize the following topics: (i) methods for DNA methylation sequencing; (ii) the involvement of DNA methylation in antibacterial drug resistance; (iii) the influence of DNA methylation on the expression of bacterial virulence genes; (iv) the impact of DNA methylation on bacterial biofilm formation, adhesion, and motility; and (v) the role of DNA methylation in bacterial adaptation. We hope to provide insights into bacterial pathogenicity from the perspective of bacterial epigenetics.