Get latest articles and stories on Science at LatestLY. According to research, DNA methylation in bacteria regulates virulence, reproduction, and gene expression. DNA methylation is crucial for controlling the tissue-specific gene expression that determines a cell's identity, such as whether it is a skin cell or a brain cell, in other creatures, including humans. Science News | DNA Methylation in Bacteria Regulates Virulence, Reproduction, and Gene Expression: Study.