title: Differences of DNA methylation profiles between monozygotic twins' blood samples.
abstract: Monozygotic twins (MZs) share an identical genomic sequence, which makes it impossible to discriminate one another with conventional genetic markers like STRs. On the other hand, phenotypic discordance between MZs implies the existence of different epigenetic characteristics. DNA methylation, an essential epigenetic modification, however, might be a potential biomarker to solve the forensic puzzle. In this study, we examined 22 pairs of MZs with a methylation BeadChip including 27,578 CpG sites. The results suggested that MZs exhibited remarkable differences of genome-wide 5-methylcytosine. According to a set of criteria of selection, 92 CpG sites with significant differences of methylation status within MZs were identified from the global epigenome. In conclusion, this pilot study suggested that CpG methylation profile could be a useful biomarker in individual identification of MZs.
authors: Department of Forensic Genetics,West China School of Basic Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University (West China University of Medical Sciences), Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Chengtao
authors: C
authors: Li
authors: Shumin
authors: S
authors: Zhao
authors: Na
authors: N
authors: Zhang
authors: Suhua
authors: S
authors: Zhang
authors: Yiping
authors: Y
authors: Hou
mesh_terms: D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers
references: Nucleic Acids Res. 2007;35(6):e41
references: 17289753
references: Genome Res. 2003 May;13(5):868-74
references: 12727906
references: Nat Biotechnol. 2010 Oct;28(10):1057-68
references: 20944598
references: Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2009 Sep;3(4):e117-8
references: 19647695
references: PLoS One. 2009 Aug 07;4(8):e6555
references: 19662090
references: Genet Mol Res. 2011 May 24;10(2):964-79
references: 21644214
references: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Jul 13;107(28):12587-92
references: 20616066
references: Nat Genet. 2003 Mar;33 Suppl:245-54
references: 12610534
references: Methods Mol Biol. 2009;507:325-37
references: 18987824
references: Schizophr Bull. 2003;29(1):169-78
references: 12908672
references: Nature. 2005 Mar 17;434(7031):400-4
references: 15772666
references: Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2010 Oct;26(5):343-8, 356
references: 21287737
references: Leg Med (Tokyo). 2004 Apr;6(2):125-30
references: 15039056
references: Trends Genet. 2006 Jul;22(7):347-50
references: 16697072
references: Novartis Found Symp. 1998;214:214-25; discussion 225-32
references: 9601020
references: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Jul 26;102(30):10604-9
references: 16009939
references: Nat Genet. 2009 Feb;41(2):240-5
references: 19151718
references: Genome Res. 2006 Mar;16(3):383-93
references: 16449502
references: Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Apr 15;14 Spec No 1:R11-8
references: 15809262
references: Twin Res Hum Genet. 2008 Feb;11(1):1-11
references: 18251670
references: Nature. 2010 Apr 29;464(7293):1351-6
references: 20428171