DNMT1 and infection: To determine whether methylation of host cell DNA is essential for bacterial survival and growth, we investigated the pharmacologic effects of two DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors with distinct mechanisms of action, 5-azacytidine and RG108, on A. phagocytophilum infection using 24 h (5-AZA) or 24, 48, and 72 h (RG108) of infection.