Methylation specific electrophoresis (MSE) has been found to be an effective qualitative method for providing information of methylated sequence profile.
Current analytical methods for DNA methylation require large amounts of DNA and also have low sensitivity, however, MSE has been found to obtain DNA from only a few cells. The method showed a lower detection limit for distinguishing different methylation status at <0.1 per cent. As well as this, the detectable minimum amount of DNA was 20 pg, which indicates better accuracy with fewer complications.
Methylation of CpG sites in genomic DNA plays an important role in gene regulation and especially in gene silencing. Mechanisms of epigenetic regulation for expression of mucins have previously been reported, and epigenetic changes in promoter regions appear to be the first step in expression of mucins.
Therefore, detection of promoter methylation status is important for early diagnosis of cancer, monitoring of tumor behaviour, and evaluating the response of tumors to targeted therapy. New methods will enhance the way in which these results can be collected and analysed.
Posted by Ben Evans