Recent Advances in Searching for DNMT Inhibitors and Their Potential Application in Treating Human Diseases

DNA methylation is one of the most important epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are key players in these processes, regulating dynamic DNA methylation patterns in embryonic and adult cells. Therefore, dysfunction of DNMTs can lead to serious diseases and cancer due to distortions in gene methylation, including that of tumor suppressor genes. Due to the reversibility of DNA methylation, DNMTs are considered an important epigenetic target for drug development. This narrative review summarizes knowledge about DNMTs, including structural features and biological functions, and describes the development of DNMT inhibitors as therapeutics, from the earliest developments to the most modern and promising ones.