Highly efficient PCR assay to discriminate allelic DNA methylation status using whole genome amplification
2011

Efficient PCR Method for Analyzing DNA Methylation

Sample size: 147 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Yamada Yoichi, Ito Takashi

Primary Institution: Kanazawa University, Japan; University of Tokyo, Japan

Hypothesis

Can a new PCR method effectively analyze allelic methylation status using less DNA?

Conclusion

The new HM-WGA-PCR method is a reliable alternative to HM-PCR for analyzing allelic methylation status with limited DNA.

Supporting Evidence

  • HM-WGA-PCR uses only 1/100th the genomic template material required for HM-PCR.
  • 147 CGIs were successfully analyzed using only ~300 ng of DNA with HM-WGA-PCR.
  • Allelic methylation status revealed by HM-WGA-PCR was identical to that by HM-PCR in every case tested.

Takeaway

Scientists created a new way to check DNA for changes that affect how genes work, using much less DNA than before.

Methodology

The study developed HM-WGA-PCR, which uses whole-genome-amplified DNA to analyze allelic methylation status with significantly less DNA than the previous method.

Limitations

The method requires specific recognition sites for methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, which may limit its application.

Participant Demographics

Normal human genomic DNA from peripheral blood cells was used.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-0500-4-179

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