It has been shown that infectious agents such as viruses often exert a dramatic effect on their host cell's genome architecture. In many cases, viruses induce methylation of host DNA sequences in order to enhance their infectivity. What specific host gene functions would you consider as strong candidates for such methylation by infecting viruses?
a. Many viruses specifically methylate genes associated with apoptosis, thus dampening that response and enhancing viral infectivity.
b. Many viruses specifically methylate genes associated with the immune response, thus dampening that response and enhancing viral infectivity.
c. Many viruses specifically methylate protective genes, thus enhancing viral infectivity.
d. Many viruses specifically methylate genes associated with the cell cycle, thus activating DNA amplification and enhancing viral infectivity.