Methylcytosine dioxygenase TET3 (Tet3)

Dioxygenase that catalyzes the conversion of the modified genomic foundation 5-methylcytosine (5mC) into 5- hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and plays a key role in epigenetic chromatin reprogramming from the zygote following fertilization. Also mediates subsequent conversion of 5hmC into 5-formylcytosine (5fC), and conversion of 5fC into 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC).

Conversion of 5mC into 5hmC, 5fC and 5caC probably constitutes the first step in cytosine demethylation. Selectively binds to the promoter region of target genes and leads to modulate the expression of numerous developmental genes.