Mouse DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3-like,DNMT3L ELI

Catalytically inactive regulatory factor of DNA methyltransferases that can either promote or inhibit DNA methylation depending on the context (PubMed:11719692, PubMed:15318244, PubMed:15671018, PubMed:24074865).

Essential for the function of DNMT3A and DNMT3B: activates DNMT3A and DNMT3B by binding to their catalytic domain (PubMed:15671018).

Acts by accelerating the binding of DNA and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to the methyltransferases and dissociates from the complex after DNA binding to the methyltransferases (PubMed:15671018).

Recognizes unmethylated histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me0) and induces de novo DNA methylation by recruitment or activation of DNMT3 (By similarity).

Plays a key role in embryonic stem cells and germ cells (PubMed:11719692, PubMed:15318244, PubMed:24074865).

In germ cells, required for the methylation of imprinted loci together with DNMT3A (PubMed:11719692).

In male germ cells, specifically required to methylate retrotransposons, preventing their mobilization (PubMed:15318244).

Plays a key role in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) by acting both as an positive and negative regulator of DNA methylation (PubMed:24074865).

While it promotes DNA methylation of housekeeping genes together with DNMT3A and DNMT3B, it also acts as an inhibitor of DNA methylation at the promoter of bivalent genes (PubMed:24074865).

Interacts with the EZH2 component of the PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex, preventing interaction of DNMT3A and DNMT3B with the PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex, leading to maintain low methylation levels at the promoters of bivalent genes (PubMed:24074865).

Promotes differentiation of ESCs into primordial germ cells by inhibiting DNA methylation at the promoter of RHOX5, thereby activating its expression (PubMed:24074865).

{ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q9UJW3, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11719692, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15318244, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15671018, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24074865}.