title: Measurement of telomere DNA content by dot blot analysis.
abstract: Telomeres play a central role in human cancer, cardiovascular aging and possibly longevity. However, present methods to measure telomere length are fraught with shortcomings that limit their use. Here, we describe a novel method to measure the relative telomere DNA content by dot blot analysis. In each dot, the DNA content is measured by a DNA stain (Dx) and the telomeric DNA content is measured with a telomeric probe (T). The T normalized for Dx (T/Dx) of each dot is a measure of telomere content. The method requires ∼20 ng of DNA per assay. Moreover, the T/Dx data are highly correlated linearly with mean telomere lengths derived from Southern blots of the terminal restriction fragments (r > 0.96, P < 0.0001). The method is also simple to use, has a relatively low interassay coefficient of variation (<6%), retains its precision in moderately degraded DNA and can be forged for high throughput analysis. The method might help researchers and clinicians alike in understanding risks for and extent of human diseases.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Human Development and Aging, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. Kimurama@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aviv
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D016615:Telomere / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA