DNA methylation screening and analysis.
DNA methylation is an epigenetic form of gene regulation that is universally important throughout the life course, especially during in utero and postnatal development. DNA methylation aids in cell cycle regulation and cellular differentiation processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that DNA methylation profiles may be altered by diet and the environment, and that these profiles are especially vulnerable during development. Thus, it is important to understand the role of DNA methylation in developmental governance and subsequent disease progression. A variety of molecular methods exist to assay for global, gene-specific, and epigenome-wide methylation. Here we describe these methods and discuss their relative strengths and limitations.
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Karilyn E
KE
Sant
Muna S
MS
Nahar
Dana C
DC
Dolinoy
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053837:DNA Cleavage; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes