Figure 6. Distribution of the methyltransferases in different eukaryotic species.

The tree was prepared using NCBI taxonomy and Interactive Tree Of Life. Dnmts were categorized into the Dnmt1 (1, colored red), Dnmt3 (3, colored blue), Chromomethylase (C, colored orange) and Dim2 families (D, colored green). The Dnmt1 enzymes were subdivided into animal, plant and fungi subgroups, Dnmt3 enzymes into the canonical Dnmt3 enzymes and the plant DRM enzymes. Lineages that underwent loss of Dnmt2 are indicated by green crosses. Dnmt1 orthologues are found in all the branches of eukaryotes. Chromomethylases are related to Dnmt1 enzyme appearing in the plant lineage only (indicated by the orange arrow). Dnmt3 enzymes apparently have been lost in the fungal lineage (indicated by a blue cross).