p16基因甲基化的芯片定量检测

p16基因的失活与多种肿瘤相关,但p16基因缺失率较低,突变更为罕见,p16基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化与其蛋白表达密切相关．DNA甲基化已成为目前研究的热点,现有的技术包括：Southernblot法、限制性内切酶-PCR法、DNA测序法、甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)、     

Predicting human age by detecting DNA methylation status in hair

Age prediction is of great importance for criminal investigation and judicial expertise. DNA methylation status is considered a promising method to infer tissue age by virtue of age-dependent changes on methylation sites. In recent years, forensic scientists have established various models to predict the chronological age of blood, saliva, and semen based on DNA methylation status. However, hair-inferred age has not been studied in the field of forensic science. In this study, we measured the methylation statuses of potential age-related CpG sites by using the multiplex methylation SNaPshot method. A total of 10 CpG sites from the LAG3, SCGN, ELOVL2, KLF14, C1orf132, SLC12A5, GRIA2, and PDE4C genes were found to be tightly associated with age in hair follicles. A correlation coefficient above 0.7 was found for four CpG sites (cg24724428 and Chr6:11044628 in ELOVL2, cg25148589 in GRIA2, and cg07547549 in SLC12A5). Among four age-prediction models, the multiple linear regression model consisting of 10 CpG sites provided the best-fitting results, with a median absolute deviation of 3.68 years. It is feasible to obtain both human identification and age information from a single scalp hair follicle. No significant differences in methylation degree were found between different sexes, hair types, or hair colors. In conclusion, we established a method to evaluate chronological age by assessing DNA methylation status in hair follicles.     

Analysis of DNA methylation markers for tissue identification in individuals with different clinical phenotypes

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation patterns can be used to identify the type of tissue or body fluid found at a crime scene. However, tissue-related methylation levels have not been analyzed in individuals with different illnesses and medical conditions in forensic-specific studies. The primary goal of this study was to investigate if certain clinical phenotypes can alter the methylation levels of CpG sites in genes involved in tissue typing. Four studies with focus on DNA methylation analysis on individuals with different clinical conditions were selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Then, a list of 137 CpG sites was compiled for further investigation. Statistical tests were performed to compare the beta-values results obtained for the control groups and the individuals affected by medical conditions. For each study, CpG sites that presented significant statistical differences between patients and control group were identified and it was possible to notice that DNA methylation levels can be affected in sites with potential forensic use. Although the observed DNA methylation variation (less than 10% difference) in this study would likely not cause any issues in body fluid identification, the results are important to show that this type of analysis should be taken into consideration when investigating and further validating body fluid markers. The CpG sites identified in this study should be further investigated by future studies on body fluids identification, and due to the significant difference in methylation levels in samples from affected individuals, caution must be taken before including these sites in tissue identification investigations.     

Genetic analyzer-dependent DNA methylation detection and its application to existing age prediction models

DNA methylation is the most promising biomarker for estimating human age. There are various methods used for analyzing DNA methylation. Among those, the SNaPshot assay-based method provides a semi-quantitative measurement of DNA methylation using capillary electrophoresis on genetic analyzers. However, DNA methylation measures produced using different types of genetic analyzers have never been compared, although differences in methylation values can directly affect age estimates. To evaluate the differences between the results generated by different genetic analyzers, we analyzed the same blood, saliva, and control methylated DNA using three genetic analyzers—the Applied Biosystems 3130, 3500, and SeqStudio—and compared the methylation values at five CpG sites: ELOVL2, FHL2, KLF14, MIR29B2C, and TRIM59. The methylation value at each of the five CpG sites decreased in the order 3130, 3500, and SeqStudio. The differences in the results produced by the different genetic analyzers resulted in significant errors when applying the 3500 and SeqStudio data to a previous age estimation model constructed using the 3130 Genetic Analyzer data. Therefore, DNA methylation measurements from 3500 and SeqStudio were corrected using the regression functions obtained by plotting the DNA methylation data of one instrument versus the other to facilitate the application of DNA methylation data from one instrument to the age prediction model based on other instruments. The age prediction accuracy obtained by applying corrected 3500 and SeqStudio data to the existing age estimation model was as high as observed in the 3130 data.     

Identification of CpG methylation of the SNRPN gene by methylation‐specific multiplex PCR

In this article, we show that methylation‐specific multiplex PCR (MS‐multiplex PCR) is a sensitive and specific single assay for detecting CpG methylation status as well as copy number aberrations. We used MS‐multiplex PCR to simultaneously amplify three sequences: the 3′ ends of the SNRPN gene (for unmethylated sequences), the KRITI gene (as internal control), and the promoter of the SNRPN gene containing CpG islands (for methylated sequences) after digestion with a methylation‐sensitive restriction enzyme (HhaI). We established this duplex assay for the analysis of 38 individuals with Prader–Willi syndrome, 2 individuals with Angelman syndrome, and 28 unaffected individuals. By comparing the copy number of the three regions, the methylation status and the copy number changes can be easily distinguished by MS‐multiplex PCR without the need of bisulfite treatment of the DNA. The data showed that MS‐multiplex PCR allows for the estimation of the methylation level by comparing the copy number aberrations of unknown samples to the standards with a known methylated status. The in‐house‐designed MS‐multiplex PCR protocol is a relatively simple, cost‐effective, and highly reproducible approach as a significant strategy in clinical applications for epigenetics in a routine laboratory.     

Novel Photodynamic Effect of a Psoralen‐Conjugated Oligonucleotide for the Discrimination of the Methylation of Cytosine in DNA

DNA methylation and demethylation significantly affect the deactivation and activation processes of gene expression significantly. In particular, C‐5‐methylation of cytosine in the CpG islands is important for the epigenetic modification in genes, which plays a key role in regulating gene expression. The determination of the location and frequency of DNA methylation is important for the elucidation of the mechanisms of cell differentiation and carcinogenesis. Here we designed a psoralen‐conjugated oligonucleotide (PS‐oligo) for the discrimination of 5‐methylcytosine (5‐mC) in DNA. The cross‐linking behavior of psoralen derivatives with pyrimidine bases, such as thymine, uracil and cytosine has been well discussed, but there are no reports which have examined whether cross‐linking efficiency of psoralen with cytosine would be changed with or without C‐5 methylation. We found that the cross‐linking efficiency of PS‐oligo with target‐DNA containing 5‐mC was greatly increased compared to the case of target‐DNA without 5‐mC, approximately seven‐fold higher. Here we report a new aspect of the photocross‐linking behavior of psoralen with 5‐mC that is applicable to a simple, sequence‐specific and quantitative analysis for the discrimination of 5‐mC in DNA, which can be applicable to study the epigenetic behavior of gene expressions.     

A simple colorimetric detection of DNA methylation

In this work, we describe a simple colorimetric method to detect DNA methylation. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) with a small CpG region containing methylated cytosine (methylated APC) was synthesized and tested. Methylated APC was first captured and enriched by anti-5-methylcytosine monoclonal antibody conjugated magnetic microspheres (MMPs). Then a probe partly complementary to the APC sequence was added, resulting in the formation of DNA duplexes. The microsphere-captured probe was then released by heat denaturation and added into unmodified gold nanoparticle (AuNP) solution. Colorimetric detection was performed by salt-induced aggregation. The limit of detection is 80 fmol. Semi-quantitative analysis was done with a UV/Vis spectrophotometer by recording the absorbance of AuNP solution at 520 nm. Thus, this method provides a simple, rapid and quantitative tool for DNA methylation detection.     

Detection of DNA methylation by hyperbranched rolling circle amplification and DNA microarray

Aberrant DNA methylation of CpG sites has been confirmed to be closely associated with carcinogenesis.Based on the hyperbranched rolling circle amplification(HRCA) and microarray techniques,a new method for qualitative detection of methylation was developed.In the present study,padlock probes hybridize the sample DNA at the methylation site to form a probe-DNA complex which is ligated and digested simultaneously by methylation specific enzymes.Only at the methylated CpG site is the padlock probe ligated successfully to form a circle template for the HRCA reaction.Utilizing the method of 3-dimensional polyacrylamide gel-based microarray,the HRCA product will be immobilized on the slide to form a DNA microarray,which can universally hybridize the Cy3-labeled oligonucleotide probe to detect the methylation status of CpG sites.To control the false positive signals,DNA ligase and temperature of ligation/digestion are optimized.Methylation status of four CpG sites located in P15,Ecadherin,hMLH1 and MGMT genes were analyzed successfully with this method and all the results were compatible with that of methylation-specific PCR.Our research proves that this method is simple and inexpensive,and could be applied as a high-throughput tool to qualitatively determine the methylation status of CpG sites.     

Hypermethylation of PDX1, EN2, and MSX1 predicts the prognosis of colorectal cancer

Despite numerous observations regarding the relationship between DNA methylation changes and cancer progression, only a few genes have been verified as diagnostic biomarkers of colorectal cancer (CRC). To more practically detect methylation changes, we performed targeted bisulfite sequencing. Through co-analysis of RNA-seq, we identified cohort-specific DNA methylation markers: CpG islands of the intragenic regions of PDX1, EN2, and MSX1. We validated that these genes have oncogenic features in CRC and that their expression levels are increased in correlation with the hypermethylation of intragenic regions. The reliable depth of the targeted bisulfite sequencing data enabled us to design highly optimized quantitative methylation-specific PCR primer sets that can successfully detect subtle changes in the methylation levels of candidate regions. Furthermore, these methylation levels can divide CRC patients into two groups denoting good and poor prognoses. In this study, we present a streamlined workflow for screening clinically significant differentially methylated regions. Our discovery of methylation markers in the PDX1, EN2, and MSX1 genes suggests their promising performance as prognostic markers and their clinical application in CRC patients.Subject terms: Prognostic markers, Methylation analysis     

Development of a body fluid identification multiplex via DNA methylation analysis

The goal of this study is to develop an epigenetic multiplex for body fluid identification based on tissue specific DNA methylation. A series of genetic loci capable of discerning the origin of DNA as coming from saliva, blood, vaginal epithelia, or semen were used for this application. The markers – BCAS4, CG06379435, VE_8, and ZC3H12D – were amplified together and then sequenced via pyrosequencing. Methylation values for cytosine guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites at each locus were then measured across the four markers. In total, 124 samples were collected, and bisulfite modified to convert unmethylated DNA to uracil. This converted DNA was then amplified via multiplex PCR with reverse primers containing a biotin molecule. Biotinylated PCR products were then analyzed using pyrosequencing to generate a series of pyrograms containing 18 CpG sites. The percent methylation at each CpG site was determined, and then agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis was used to create a model to indicate sample origin. Further analysis reduced the number of CpG sites required for optimal determination of body fluid type to five. This study demonstrates an efficient multiplexed body fluid identification process utilizing DNA methylation that can be easily implemented in forensic laboratories.     

焦测序技术及其在遗传分析中的应用

焦测序技术是一种新的实时DNA测序技术。它在DNA聚合酶、三磷酸腺苷硫酸化酶、荧光素酶和三磷酸腺苷双磷酸酶4种酶的协同作用下,使引物延伸聚合脱氧核糖核酸(dNTP)释放焦磷酸盐(PP i)、PP i转换三磷酸腺苷(ATP)、ATP产生荧光信号与dNTP和ATP的降解等化学反应偶联起来,检测结果准确可靠。本文综述了焦测序技术的基本原理、操作步骤和它在单核苷酸多态性(SNP)研究、微生物的分型鉴定和基因甲基化检测等遗传分析中的应用,并对焦测序技术的发展作了展望。     

The role of DNA hypermethylation in human neoplasia

Cancer development and progression is dictated by a series of alterations in genes such as oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, DNA repair genes, and others. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that is profoundly altered in most cancers. Recently, hypermethylation of CpG-rich areas located in the promoter of genes (CpG islands) has been shown to be commonly implicated in silencing tumor suppressor genes in cancer. By cloning and characterizing a large number of such CpG islands hypermethylated in colon cancer, we found that two processes explain most of these events. Age-related CpG island methylation in a subset of cells in normal tissues, followed by intensification of methylation in cancer cells explains the majority of hypermethylation events in colon cancer and may provide a mechanistic link between aging and cancer formation. Most of the other CpG islands methylated in colon cancer can be explained by a newly described phenotype, the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) which results in multiple methylation events in a subset of cancers. CIMP accounts for the majority of sporadic colon cancers characterized by microsatellite instability, as well as most tumors with k-ras mutations. Understanding further the factors that lead to, and modulate, aberrant methylation in cancer may provide novel avenues for prevention and treatment of this disease.     

Quantitative analysis of DNA methylation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients

Changes in the genomic DNA methylation level have been found to be closely associated with tumorigenesis. In order to analyze the relation of aberrant DNA methylation to clinical and biological risk factors, we have determined the cytosine methylation level of 81 patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The analysis was based on DNA hydrolysis followed by derivatization of the 2'-desoxyribonucleoside-3'-monophosphates with BODIPY FL EDA. Derivatives were separated by micellar electrokinetic chromatography, and laser-induced fluorescence was used for detection. We analyzed potential correlations between DNA methylation levels and numerous patient parameters, including clinical observations and biological data. As a result, we observed a significant correlation with the immunoglobulin variable heavy chain gene (VH) mutation status. This factor has been repeatedly proposed as a reliable prognostic marker for CLL, which suggests that the methylation level might be a valuable factor in determining the prognostic outcome of CLL. We are now in the process of refining our method to broaden its application potential. In this context, we show here that the oxidation of the fluorescence marker in the samples and the evaporation of methanol in the electrolytes can be prevented by a film of paraffin oil. In summary, our results thus establish capillary electrophoresis as a valuable tool for analyzing the DNA methylation status of clinical samples.     

Determining the global DNA methylation status of rat according to the identifier repetitive elements

A large portion of the genome represents repetitive elements. Identifier (ID) elements, the major elements of short interspersed repetitive elements, are widespread with about 150 000 copies in the rat genome. Each ID element contains six CpG dinucleotides, which might account for the global methylation status of rat. We validated the CpG methylation of the ID elements by various methods. The methylation of one CpG site (CpG-3) of the ID element was investigated by performing pyrosequencing. The methylation percentage of the CpG-3 site was 53.6% (SD = 2.2) on average from six rat tissues with blood, but 24.6% (SD = 1.0) in rat pheochromocytoma, PC-12, cell line. This CpG-3 methylation was further verified by whole genome amplification (WGA), 5-azacytidine treatment, and proportional mixing of rat WGA genomic DNA (gDNA) with liver gDNA. Methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme PCR method showed that three other CpG sites (CpG-1, CpG-4, and CpG-5) within the ID element were also methylated (about 60%) in rat gDNA, but not in WGA gDNA. The ID elements may be good candidates for routine analysis of the global DNA methylation changes of rat for pharmaceutical treatment and their use can make basic epigenetic research possible with high accuracy.     

DNA microarray: a high throughput approach for methylation detection

We described a DNA microarray-based method combined with bisulphite treatment of DNA and regular PCR to examine hyper-methylation in promoter 1A of APC gene. A set of oligonucleotide probes were designed and immobilized on the aldehyde-coated glass slides for detecting the methylation pattern of 15 selected CpG sites in the region. The methylation status of 30 colorectal tumor samples have been examined by both of methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) and the present microarray method. The methylation pattern of the 15 CpG sites for the samples have been obtained with the microarray. A total of 19 samples out of 30 were methylated by microarray, in which five samples cannot be detected by MS-PCR due to the methylated CpG patterns not accordant to the MS-PCR primers. The detecting ratio for methylation of APC gene of colorectal tumor samples increased from 46.7% with MS-PCR to 63.3% with the microarray, which successfully demonstrated that DNA microarray-based method not only can obtained the methylation patterns for the related genes, but also decrease the false-negative results of methylation status by the conventional MS-PCR for the investigated genes.     

Specificity of Dnmt1 for methylation of hemimethylated CpG sites resides in its catalytic domain

The maintenance methylation of hemimethylated CpG sites by the DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1 is the molecular basis of the inheritance of DNA methylation patterns. Based on structural data and kinetics obtained with a truncated form of Dnmt1, an autoinhibition model for the specificity of Dnmt1 was proposed in which unmethylated DNA binds to Dnmt1's CXXC domain, which prevents its methylation. We have prepared CXXC domain variants that lost DNA binding. Corresponding full-length Dnmt1 variants did not display a reduction in specificity, indicating that the autoinhibition model does not apply in full-length Dnmt1. Furthermore, we show that the Dnmt1 M1235S variant, which carries an exchange in the catalytic domain of the enzyme, has a marked reduction in specificity, indicating that the recognition of the hemimethylated state of target sites resides within the catalytic domain.