The Role of DNA Methyltransferases in Urinary System Diseases

DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic regulatory mechanism that can modify chromatin structure, DNA conformation, DNA stability, and the interactions between DNA and proteins, thereby controlling gene expression. It has been shown to play a significant role in pathological processes such as fibrosis and tumorigenesis. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are key players in this process. This study aims to investigate the role of DNMTs in the development of urinary system diseases, such as renal fibrosis and prostate cancer, revealing how they regulate gene expression by modulating DNA methylation levels, thereby significantly promoting the progression of these diseases. Additionally, this review explores their potential clinical applications as therapeutic targets, which may offer new research directions for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of urinary system diseases in the future.