Where long noncoding RNAs meet DNA methylation

DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mechanism governing regulation of gene expression during mammalian development. A recent study published in Nature shows a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) arising from the CEBPA gene locus (termed ecCEBPA) that is critical for regulation of DNA methylation at this site through the association of ecCEBPA with DNA methyltransferase 1, DNMT1.