A simple bridging flocculation assay for rapid, sensitive and stringent detection of gene specific DNA methylation

Sci Rep. 2015 Oct 13:5:15028. doi: 10.1038/srep15028.

Abstract

The challenge of bringing DNA methylation biomarkers into clinic is the lack of simple methodologies as most current assays have been developed for research purposes. To address the limitations of current methods, we describe herein a novel methyl-protein domain (MBD) enrichment protocol for simple yet rapid and highly stringent selection of highly methylated DNA from limiting input samples. We then coupled this with a DNA-mediated flocculation assay for rapid and low cost naked-eye binary evaluation of highly methylated genes in cell line and blood DNA. The low resource requirements of our method may enable widespread adoption of DNA methylation-based diagnostics in clinic and may be useful for small-scale research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • CpG Islands
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Epigenomics / methods*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Sensitivity and Specificity