Figure 6. Model for AID-dependent active DNA demethylation in reprogramming.
AID-mediated reprogramming and DNA demethylation in heterokaryons takes place in the absence of cell division or DNA replication, showing that AID is a component of an active DNA demethylation complex in mammals. The other putative components of this mammalian DNA demethylase complex (X, Y and Z) that may act together with the deaminase, AID, remain to be identified. 5mC, 5-methyl-cytosine.