verb
- to remove a methyl group from a molecule or compound
Usage: technical; chemistry; biochemistry
Examples
- The enzyme demethylates the DNA at specific cytosine residues.
- Researchers demethylate the compound to study its structural properties.
- The process demethylates histone proteins, affecting gene expression.
- Scientists demethylate the substrate to reverse the methylation reaction.
- The drug works by helping cells demethylate abnormal DNA sequences.