The demethylation of DNA is a rapidly emerging field involving a complex interplay of interdependent pathways and mechanisms (Gavin, Chase, & Sharma, 2013; Wu & Zhang, 2014). Activity-dependent DNA demethylation is a dynamic process crucial to neuronal function. The “ten eleven translocation” (TET) enzyme family of proteins converts methylcytosine to hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC), an oxidized form of the enzyme that can be further demethylated (Tahiliani et al., 2009). A pair of studies in 2009 identified the presence of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in brain cells (Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum) and in mouse embryonic stem cells (Kriaucionis & Heintz, 2009; Tahiliani et al., 2009). Genome-wide mapping studies have indicated the presence of 5-hmc in numerous tissues and in great abundance in the brain. Overall 5-hmc is associated with gene bodies, promoters and enhancers most likely implicating its role as a transcriptional activator (Ficz et al., 2011; Guo, Su, Zhong, Ming, & Song, 2011; Mellen et al., 2012; Song et al., 2011; Yu et al., 2012). TET1 has also been implicated as a key molecule in synaptic plasticity and memory mechanisms through regulation
