Allele-specific extension on microarray for DNA methylation analysis

Aberrant DNA methylation of CpG site in the gene promoter region has been confirmed to be closely associated with carcinogenesis. In this present study, a new method based on the allele-specific extension on microarray technique for detecting changes of DNA methylation in cancer was developed. The target gene regions were amplified from the bisulfite treated genomic DNA (gDNA) with modified primers and treated with exonuclease to generate single-strand targets. Allele-specific extension of the immobilized primers took place along a stretch of target sequence with the presence of DNA polymerase and Cy5-labeled dGTP. To control the false positive signals, the hybridization condition, DNA polymerase, extension time and primers design were optimized. Two breast tumor-related genes (P16 and E-cadherin) were analyzed with this present method successfully and all the results were compatible with that of traditional methylation-specific PCR. The experiments results demonstrated that this DNA microarray-based method could be applied as a high throughput tool for methylation status analysis of the cancer-related genes, which could be widely used in cancer diagnosis or the detection of recurrence.     

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.     

Whole genome amplification induced bias in the detection of KRAS‐mutated cell populations during colorectal carcinoma tissue testing

Whole genome amplification replicates the entire DNA content of a sample and can thus help to circumvent material limitations when insufficient DNA is available for planned genetic analyses. However, there are conflicting data in the literature whether whole genome amplification introduces bias or reflects precisely the spectrum of starting DNA. We analyzed the origins of discrepancies in KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog gene) mutation detection in six of ten samples amplified using the GenomePlex® Tissue Whole Genome Amplification kit 5 (WGA5; Sigma‐Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) and KRAS StripAssay® (KRAS SA; ViennaLab Diagnostics, Vienna, Austria). We undertook reextraction, reamplification, retyping, authentication, reanalysis, and reinterpretation to determine whether the discrepancies originated during the preanalytical, analytical, and/or interpretative phase of genotyping. We conclude that a combination of glass slide/sample heterogeneity and biased amplification due to stochastic effects in the early phases of whole genome amplification (WGA) may have adversely affected the results obtained. Our findings are relevant for both forensic genetics testing and massively parallel sequencing using preamplification.     

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.     

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.     

Global DNA Methylation Level Monitoring by methyl-CpG Binding Domain-Fused Luciferase

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that represses gene expression. In cancer cells, alterations of the DNA methylation state in promoter regions and repetitive DNA sequences are observed; therefore, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have been the focus of interest as potential anticancer drugs. We previously reported a simple global DNA methylation level-sensing assay using methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) fused to luciferase (MBD-luciferase). In the assay, the MBD-luciferase binds to methyl-CpG sites on genomic DNA. Subsequently, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) between the luciferase and a fluorescent DNA intercalating dye generates a signal that is dependent on DNA methylation level. In this study, we investigated whether global DNA hypomethylation induced by a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor or nutrient can be monitored by the BRET assay. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine and folic acid were utilized as the DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor and nutrient that affect DNA methylation in cells. The HeLa cells were cultured with the inhibitor or in folic acid-deficient medium and their global DNA methylation levels measured. Both time- and concentration-dependent hypomethylation were detected by the BRET assay. These results demonstrate that global DNA hypomethylation can be monitored by the BRET assay, indicating that the assay is applicable to cell-based screening of DNA-methyltransferase inhibitors.     

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.     

Development and validation of a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the assessment of genomic DNA methylation

A method for the determination of DNA global methylation, taken as the ratio (%) of 5‐methylcytosine (5mCyt) versus the sum of cytosine (Cyt) and 5mCyt, via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), was developed and validated. DNA (2.5 µg) was hydrolyzed with aqueous formic acid 88%, spiked with cytosine‐2,4‐¹³C₂,¹⁵N₃ and 5‐methyl‐²H₃‐cytosine‐6‐²H₁ as internal standards, and derivatized with N‐methyl‐N‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and 1% tert‐butyldimethylchlorosilane, in the presence of acetonitrile and pyridine. GC/MS, operating in single ion monitoring mode, separated and specifically detected all nucleobases as tert‐butyldimethylsilyl derivatives, without interferences, with the exception of guanosine. The method was linear throughout the range of clinical interest and had good sensitivity, with a limit of quantification of 3.2 pmol for Cyt and 0.056 pmol for 5mCyt, the latter corresponding to a methylation level of 0.41%. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy were below 4.0% for both analytes and methylation. The matrix absolute effect, process efficiency and coefficient of variation ranged from 96.5 to 101.2%. The matrix relative effect was below 1%. The method was applied to the analysis of different human DNAs, including: nonmethylated DNA from PCR (methylation 0.00%), hypermethylated DNA prepared using M.SssI CpG methyltransferase (methylation 18.05%), DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes of healthy subjects (N = 6, median methylation 5.45%), DNA from bone marrow of leukemia patients (N = 5, 3.58%) and DNA from myeloma cell lines (N = 4, 2.74%). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DNA methylation-based age prediction with bloodstains using pyrosequencing and random forest regression

The use of DNA methylation to predict chronological age has shown promising potential for obtaining additional information in forensic investigations. To date, several studies have reported age prediction models based on DNA methylation in body fluids with high DNA content. However, it is often difficult to apply these existing methods in practice due to the low amount of DNA present in stains of body fluids that are part of a trace material. In this study, we present a sensitive and rapid test for age prediction with bloodstains based on pyrosequencing and random forest regression. This assay requires only 0.1 ng of genomic DNA and the entire procedure can be completed within 10 h, making it practical for forensic investigations that require a short turnaround time. We examined the methylation levels of 46 CpG sites from six genes using bloodstain samples from 128 males and 113 females aged 10–79 years. A random forest regression model was then used to construct an age prediction model for males and females separately. The final age prediction models were developed with seven CpG sites (three for males and four for females) based on the performance of the random forest regression. The mean absolute deviation was less than 3 years for each model. Our results demonstrate that DNA methylation-based age prediction using pyrosequencing and random forest regression has potential applications in forensics to accurately predict the biological age of a bloodstain donor.     

The determination of tissue-specific DNA methylation patterns in forensic biofluids using bisulfite modification and pyrosequencing

The goal of this study is to explore the application of epigenetic markers in the identification of biofluids that are commonly found at the crime scene. A series of genetic loci were examined in order to define epigenetic markers that display differential methylation patterns between blood, saliva, semen, and epithelial tissue. Among the different loci tested, we have identified a panel of markers, C20orf117, ZC3H12D, BCAS4, and FGF7, that can be used in the determination of these four tissue types. Since methylation modifications occur at cytosine bases that are immediately followed by guanine bases (CpG sites), methylation levels were measured at CpG sites spanning each marker. Up to 11 samples of each tissue type were collected and subjected to bisulfite modification to convert unmethylated CpG-associated cytosine bases to thymine bases. The bisulfite modified DNA was then amplified via nested PCR using a primer set of which one primer was biotin labeled. Biotinylated PCR products were in turn analyzed and the methylation level at each CpG site was quantitated by pyrosequencing. The percent methylation values at each CpG site were determined and averaged for each tissue type. The results indicated significant methylation differences between the tissue types. The methylation patterns at the ZC3H12D and FGF7 loci differentiated sperm from blood, saliva, and epithelial cells. The C20orf117 locus differentiated blood from sperm, saliva, and epithelial cells and saliva was differentiated from blood, sperm, and epithelial cells at a fourth locus, BCAS4. The results of this study demonstrate the applicability of epigenetic markers as a novel tool for the determination of biofluids using bisulfite modification and pyrosequencing.     

Advent of the cancer methylome

DNA hypermethylation of CpG islands plays an important role in gene regulation during cancer development. Many techniques have been developed to detect global DNA methylation in cancer cells compared to normal tissues. This knowledge helps us to better understand cancer progression and also aids in the development of new biomarker for early cancer detection. New prognostic tools for monitoring drug efficacy during cancer treatment can also be developed. In this review, we will examine the different techniques that have been used to study DNA methylation, as well as the emerging high resolution, high throughput techniques for identification of methylated regions to defining cancer related genes in the cancer methylome.     

Fluorescent conjugated polyelectrolyte as an indicator for convenient detection of DNA methylation

A convenient, sensitive, and label-free method to determine the DNA methylation status of CpG sites of plasmid and human colon cancer cell has been developed. The system relies on highly selective single base extension reaction and significant optical amplification of cationic conjugated polyelectrolytes (CCP-1). The higher fluorescence resonance energy transfer efficiency between CCP-1 and fluorescein-labeled dGTP (dGTP-Fl) is correlated to the incorporation of dGTP-Fl into the probe DNA by single base extension reaction when the target/probe pair is complementary at the methylation site. As low as 1% methylation status can be determined by this new assay method. Because of the optical amplification property of CCP-1, the method exhibited high sensitivity with a concentration of analyte DNA at the picomolar level. The CCP-1 can form a complex with negatively charged DNA through electrostatic interactions, avoiding labeling the DNA target and probe by covalent linking. The isolation steps employed in other typical assays were avoided to simplify operations and increase repeatability. These features make the system promising for future use for early cancer diagnosis.     

Quantitative and sensitive detection of rare mutations using droplet-based microfluidics

Somatic mutations within tumoral DNA can be used as highly specific biomarkers to distinguish cancer cells from their normal counterparts. These DNA biomarkers are potentially useful for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and follow-up of patients. In order to have the required sensitivity and specificity to detect rare tumoral DNA in stool, blood, lymph and other patient samples, a simple, sensitive and quantitative procedure to measure the ratio of mutant to wild-type genes is required. However, techniques such as dual probe TaqMan(?) assays and pyrosequencing, while quantitative, cannot detect less than ～1% mutant genes in a background of non-mutated DNA from normal cells. Here we describe a procedure allowing the highly sensitive detection of mutated DNA in a quantitative manner within complex mixtures of DNA. The method is based on using a droplet-based microfluidic system to perform digital PCR in millions of picolitre droplets. Genomic DNA (gDNA) is compartmentalized in droplets at a concentration of less than one genome equivalent per droplet together with two TaqMan(?) probes, one specific for the mutant and the other for the wild-type DNA, which generate green and red fluorescent signals, respectively. After thermocycling, the ratio of mutant to wild-type genes is determined by counting the ratio of green to red droplets. We demonstrate the accurate and sensitive quantification of mutated KRAS oncogene in gDNA. The technique enabled the determination of mutant allelic specific imbalance (MASI) in several cancer cell-lines and the precise quantification of a mutated KRAS gene in the presence of a 200,000-fold excess of unmutated KRAS genes. The sensitivity is only limited by the number of droplets analyzed. Furthermore, by one-to-one fusion of drops containing gDNA with any one of seven different types of droplets, each containing a TaqMan(?) probe specific for a different KRAS mutation, or wild-type KRAS, and an optical code, it was possible to screen the six common mutations in KRAS codon 12 in parallel in a single experiment.