title: Using a medium-throughput comet assay to evaluate the global DNA methylation status of single cells.
abstract: The comet assay is a simple and cost effective technique, commonly used to analyze and quantify DNA damage in individual cells. The versatility of the comet assay allows introduction of various modifications to the basic technique. The difference in the methylation sensitivity of the isoschizomeric restriction enzymes HpaII and MspI are used to demonstrate the ability of the comet assay to measure the global DNA methylation level of individual cells when using cell cultures. In the experiments described here, a medium-throughput comet assay and methylation sensitive comet assay are combined to produce a methylation sensitive medium-throughput comet assay to measure changes in the global DNA methylation pattern in individual cells under various growth conditions.
authors: Division for Biochemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa ; Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: Angélique
authors: A
authors: Lewies
authors: Division for Biochemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: Etresia
authors: E
authors: Van Dyk
authors: Division for Biochemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa ; Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: Johannes F
authors: JF
authors: Wentzel
authors: Division for Biochemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: Pieter J
authors: PJ
authors: Pretorius
keywords: 5-Aza-dcR; cytosine extension assay (CEA); global DNA methylation; isoschizomeric restriction endonuclease; medium-throughput comet assay; single cells