小鼠骨髓细胞中p16和Ralb基因启动区CpG岛的甲基化位点分析

抑癌基因p16和白血病致癌因子Ralb与白血病的发生密切相关,其启动子区CpG岛的甲基化对基因表达具有重要作用.本文旨在分析p16、Ralb基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化位点信息,并比较这两个基因在小鼠骨髓细胞和原代培养的骨髓细胞中甲基化状态的差异.运用"MethPrimer"软件预测p16、Ralb基因启动子区的CpG岛,设计甲基化特异性引物.利用重亚硫酸盐测序法(BSP)检测甲基化位点信息.结果显示,p16有1个CpG岛,岛上21个CpG位点全部未发生甲基化;Ralb有2个CpG岛,CpG岛1上的5个CpG位点全部呈甲基化状态,而CpG岛2上的17个CpG位点全部呈非甲基化状态,且小鼠骨髓细胞和体外原代培养的骨髓细胞中两基因的甲基化状态一致.表明p16、Ralb基因甲基化状态未受外界培养条件的影响而改变,提示在与两基因甲基化相关的研究中体外试验可替代体内试验.     

二代测序应用于检测GT1-7细胞中KISS1和GnRH启动子的DNA甲基化状态的研究

目的:利用二代测序技术检测GT1-7细胞中KISS1和GnRH基因启动子范围内的甲基化状态,并用金标准的亚硫酸氢盐修饰后的克隆测序作为对照,比较二代测序与金标准克隆测序在研究DNA甲基化检测中的差别。方法:提取GT1-7细胞基因组DNA并进行亚硫酸氢盐处理。进行巢式PCR,将PCR产物进行二代测序。同时采用金标准的亚硫酸氢盐修饰后克隆测序的方法作为对照,对相同批次的PCR产物进行克隆测序。结果:PCR产物二代测序结果表明KISS1和GnRH两个基因的27个CpG甲基化位点信息完整,结果准确。挑取10个克隆进行一代测序结果表明序列无丢失,KISS1和GnRH两个基因的27个CpG甲基化位点信息完整。结论:利用高通量的二代测序技术能够有效的对DNA甲基化的PCR产物进行检测,二代测序和克隆测序都是研究DNA甲基化的有效方法,但前者与克隆测序相比每一个读取序列(reads)都相当于一个单克隆,且二代测序每个区段得到成百上千个reads,因此二代测序结果更加精确。     

一种快速高效的全基因组甲基化CpG岛富集方法的建立

高甲基化的CpG岛所致基因表观遗传学转录失活已经成为肿瘤表观基因组学研究的重要内容。现在已有很多检测CpG岛甲基化的方法,但由于各自的局限,还没有建立一种能快速在全基因组水平上进行甲基化CpG岛的富集方法。本研究利用甲基化结合蛋白MBD2b具有特异性结合甲基化DNA的特性, 建立了一种基于DNA免疫共沉淀技术的全基因组甲基化CpG岛的富集方法。在大肠杆菌中表达重组的GST-MBD2b蛋白,通过Glutathione Sepharose 4B对重组蛋白进行纯化,制备成亲和层析柱,利用在不同的盐离子强度下甲基化DNA和非甲基化DNA的结合能力不同,对甲基化DNA进行富集。用甲基化酶SssI处理过的DNA片段与非甲基化DNA片段进行富集效率的检测,发现0.5M KCl的浓度是甲基化DNA片段和非甲基化DNA片段得以分开的临界条件。样品的富集效率用Real Time PCR进行检测。结果表明,这种方法能够实现对全基因组甲基化DNA的有效富集且最高的富集倍数可达到100多倍。富集到的甲基化DNA可以进行后续的定量PCR, DNA测序和全基因组芯片的分析等工作,为大规模分析全基因组CpG 岛甲基化的改变奠定了基础。     

甲基化特异性PCR检测FMR1 和XIST基因甲基化实验方法的建立

建立一种快速、灵敏的检测脆性X智障基因（Fragile X mental retardation, FMR1）和X染色体失活基因（X chromosome inactivation,XIST）甲基化的方法,用亚硫酸氢钠和对苯二酚对基因组DNA进行脱氨基修饰。以修饰后的DNA为模板,用两套不同的引物对：1对甲基化特异性引物和1对非甲基化特异性引物扩增FMR1基因（CGG）n重复序列区、FMR1 和XIST 基因的启动子区。PCR产物进一步克隆、测序。以亚硫酸氢钠和对苯二酚脱氨基修饰后的DNA为模板,进行PCR扩增后的产物与预期基因目的基因片段大小相符合,无非特异性扩增产物。测序结果表明,FMR1、XIST基因中的非甲基化的C碱基转变为U碱基,而CpG岛被甲基化的C碱基不改变。成功地建立了检测FMR1、XIST甲基化的方法,为实验室诊断脆性X综合征提供了新的方法。     

乳腺癌相关基因的甲基化

肿瘤组织中常伴随基因组整体甲基化水平降低和(或)某些基因CpG岛甲基化水平异常升高,这两种变化在肿瘤发生和发展中都扮演着重要的角色。近年来诸多研究报道了CpG岛高甲基化可导致乳腺癌相关的一系列关键基因的表达缺失。由于表观遗传变化存在潜在可逆性,因此,通过检测患者特定基因甲基化状态早期诊断乳腺癌,以及运用甲基化抑制剂来治疗乳腺癌,已成为国内外研究的热点和新思路。     

NANOGP8基因在肺癌细胞系中甲基化水平与表达研究

目的:研究NANOGP8基因在肺癌细胞系A549中启动子区域甲基化水平及其与基因表达的相关性。方法:利用MethPrimer甲基化岛预测和甲基化引物设计软件,预测NANOGP8启动子区甲基化位点。分别从人成纤维细胞系和肺癌细胞系中提取基因组DNA,经过亚硫酸氢钠处理后,用针对甲基化位点设计的引物进行PCR扩增,获得相应区段DNA后,连接到pGEM-T载体,转化大肠杆菌鉴定阳性克隆后,测序并与GenBank数据库中NANOGP8基因组DNA序列比对,获得其甲基化水平数据。分别提取两个细胞系的总RNA,RT-PCR获得相应cDNA进行PCR扩增,扩增产物经琼脂糖凝胶电泳后,经酶切和测序验证,获取其表达水平数据。结果:成功预测NANOGP8的两个区域有甲基化位点,并检测到人成纤维细胞系和肺癌A549细胞系中NANOGP8启动子甲基化水平分别为59.7%和12.5%,表达检测结果显示在A549细胞系中检测到NANOGP8的基因片段,而在人成纤维细胞系中没有扩增到相应产物。结论:在正常成体细胞中NANOGP8基因由于启动子的高度甲基化而沉默,而在肺癌细胞系中NANOGP8基因启动子去甲基化激活其表达。NANOGP8基因的表达与其启动子区域去甲基化密切相关,同时NANOGP8在肺癌细胞分化过程中发挥重要作用。     

利用甲基化特异性引物高通量检测DNA甲基化

建立一种基于甲基化特异性引物和SAGE技术的高通量DNA甲基化定量检测新方法（MSP-SAGE）,首先利用亚硫酸氢钠对基因组DNA进行处理,使未甲基化的C转变为U,而甲基化的CpG不变.将处理和未处理的DNA双链变性后用随机引物PNNNNCG对存在含有CG的单链进行延伸,而无甲基化CG的单链处则不能延伸;将差异延伸的单链序列和频次信息经过系列分子操作后,引入PCR扩增模板;对中间带有未知序列的PCR扩增产物进行串连克隆测序.将来自于未处理组和处理组的某一CpG位点的序列出现的次数定义为［Tags］A和［Tags］B,将标准系列的实际甲基化水平和［Tags］B/［Tags］A之间建立线性回归方程.根据每一CpG位点的［Tags］B/［Tags］A比值可反推该位点的甲基化水平.MSP-SAGE具有良好的线性,基于标准系列的［Tags］B/［Tags］A与其实际甲基化水平的标准曲线方程为y＝1.455x（R²＝0.984,P<0.01）.MSP-SAGE的回收率在95%到110%之间,精确度位于4.2％和10.5%,检测限在3％左右,单次检测通量可达24个CpG位点.MSP-SAGE是一种很有应用前途的高通量DNA甲基化定量检测方法.     

Hi-Meth：特定位点DNA甲基化高通量检测平台

胞嘧啶甲基化是DNA表观遗传修饰的主要类型之一,在维持正常细胞功能和调控基因表达中具有重要作用。重亚硫酸盐测序法(bisulfite sequencing PCR,BSP)是特异性位点DNA甲基化检测的通用方法,能明确目的片段中每一个CpG位点的甲基化状态,但此方法需要大量的单克隆测序,操作过程较繁琐、成本昂贵。因此,开发准确、高效、便捷的DNA甲基化检测技术对提升表观遗传研究效率具有重要意义。基于本课题组开发的高通量突变类型检测平台Hi-TOM (high-throughput tracking of mutations),我们进一步建立了特定位点DNA甲基化高通量检测平台Hi-Meth (high-throughput detection of DNA methylation)。DNA样品通过重亚硫酸盐处理之后,仅需一轮PCR扩增即可通过Hi-Meth平台获得特定位点DNA甲基化分析结果。利用Hi-Meth平台,对水稻不同基因启动子区域进行了DNA甲基化检测分析,并与基于BSP方法获得的结果进行了比较。结果表明,Hi-Meth策略与BSP策略检测结果基本一致。而且通过Hi-Meth平台可以更准确、便捷地获得特异性位点DNA甲基化分析结果。综上所述,Hi-Meth为特定DNA区域提供了重要的甲基化检测平台,对表观遗传研究具有重要意义。     

玉米MuDR转座子DNA甲基化的MSP检测

DNA甲基化作为一种重要的表观遗传修饰,广泛存在于高等动植物中,并在维持基因组稳定性、调节基因表达等方面起着重要作用,因此建立快速有效地DNA甲基化检测技术至关重要.本文以两种不同MuDR活性的玉米转座子材料为研究对象, 探讨了甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)在检测DNA甲基化的有效性.结果表明: MSP技术可快速有效地检测MuDR转座子的末端反向重复(TIRs)序列内的CpG岛DNA甲基化的变化,灵敏度高,特异性强,可作为植物已知基因DNA甲基化检测的一种新方法.同时利用MSP研究发现,玉米MuDR转座子的活性随其TIRs序列内的CpG岛DNA甲基化的变化而改变, DNA甲基化是调控玉米MuDR转座活性的重要分子机制之一.     

生长因子颗粒蛋白前体和肿瘤坏死因子受体基因启动子区改变与阿尔茨 海默病的相关性研究

目的:探讨生长因子颗粒蛋白前体(PGRN)、肿瘤坏死因子受体(TNFR)基因启动子区改变以及全基因组DNA甲基化与阿尔茨海默病的相关性。方法:收集阿尔茨海默病患者血液样本80例以及健康对照血液样本80例,PCR扩增PGRN和TNFR基因启动子区并进行测序,观察两组间的单核苷酸多态性位点是否有差异。同时,用甲基化特异性PCR法检测启动子区DNA甲基化情况以及用ELISA法检测全基因组DNA甲基化水平。结果:在TNFR基因启动子区域发现阿尔茨海默病和对照组之间在多态性位点rs4149570和rs4149569有显著性差异(P0.001和P=0.033)。阿尔茨海默病患者全基因组甲基化水平为(0.79±0.29)%,显著低于对照组的(1.00±0.36)%(P0.001)。结论:TNFR基因多态性位点rs4149570和rs4149569的变异可能与阿尔茨海默病相关,全基因组甲基化水平降低可能与阿尔茨海默病相关。     

High density DNA methylation array with single CpG site resolution

We have developed a new generation of genome-wide DNA methylation BeadChip which allows high-throughput methylation profiling of the human genome. The new high density BeadChip can assay over 480K CpG sites and analyze twelve samples in parallel. The innovative content includes coverage of 99% of RefSeq genes with multiple probes per gene, 96% of CpG islands from the UCSC database, CpG island shores and additional content selected from whole-genome bisulfite sequencing data and input from DNA methylation experts. The well-characterized Infinium® Assay is used for analysis of CpG methylation using bisulfite-converted genomic DNA. We applied this technology to analyze DNA methylation in normal and tumor DNA samples and compared results with whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) data obtained for the same samples. Highly comparable DNA methylation profiles were generated by the array and sequencing methods (average R² of 0.95). The ability to determine genome-wide methylation patterns will rapidly advance methylation research.     

Genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation reveals a class of normally methylated CpG island promoters

The role of CpG island methylation in normal development and cell differentiation is of keen interest, but remains poorly understood. We performed comprehensive DNA methylation profiling of promoter regions in normal peripheral blood by methylated CpG island amplification in combination with microarrays. This technique allowed us to simultaneously determine the methylation status of 6,177 genes, 92% of which include dense CpG islands. Among these 5,549 autosomal genes with dense CpG island promoters, we have identified 4.0% genes that are nearly completely methylated in normal blood, providing another exception to the general rule that CpG island methylation in normal tissue is limited to X inactivation and imprinted genes. We examined seven genes in detail, including ANKRD30A, FLJ40201, INSL6, SOHLH2, FTMT, C12orf12, and DPPA5. Dense promoter CpG island methylation and gene silencing were found in normal tissues studied except testis and sperm. In both tissues, bisulfite cloning and sequencing identified cells carrying unmethylated alleles. Interestingly, hypomethylation of several genes was associated with gene activation in cancer. Furthermore, reactivation of silenced genes could be induced after treatment with a DNA demethylating agent or in a cell line lacking DNMT1 and/or DNMT3b. Sequence analysis identified five motifs significantly enriched in this class of genes, suggesting that cis-regulatory elements may facilitate preferential methylation at these promoter CpG islands. We have identified a group of non-X-linked bona fide promoter CpG islands that are densely methylated in normal somatic tissues, escape methylation in germline cells, and for which DNA methylation is a primary mechanism of tissue-specific gene silencing.     

Improved reduced representation bisulfite sequencing for epigenomic profiling of clinical samples

Background

DNA methylation plays crucial roles in epigenetic gene regulation in normal development and disease pathogenesis. Efficient and accurate quantification of DNA methylation at single base resolution can greatly advance the knowledge of disease mechanisms and be used to identify potential biomarkers. We developed an improved pipeline based on reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) for cost-effective genome-wide quantification of DNA methylation at single base resolution. A selection of two restriction enzymes (Taq^αI and MspI) enables a more unbiased coverage of genomic regions of different CpG densities. We further developed a highly automated software package to analyze bisulfite sequencing results from the Solexa GAIIx system.

Results

With two sequencing lanes, we were able to quantify ~1.8 million individual CpG sites at a minimum sequencing depth of 10. Overall, about 76.7% of CpG islands, 54.9% of CpG island shores and 52.2% of core promoters in the human genome were covered with at least 3 CpG sites per region.

Conclusions

With this new pipeline, it is now possible to perform whole-genome DNA methylation analysis at single base resolution for a large number of samples for understanding how DNA methylation and its changes are involved in development, differentiation, and disease pathogenesis.     

Regionally Specific and Genome-Wide Analyses Conclusively Demonstrate the Absence of CpG Methylation in Human Mitochondrial DNA

Although CpG methylation clearly distributes genome-wide in vertebrate nuclear DNA, the state of methylation in the vertebrate mitochondrial genome has been unclear. Several recent reports using immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods concluded that human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has much more than the 2 to 5% CpG methylation previously estimated. However, these methods do not provide information as to the sites or frequency of methylation at each CpG site. Here, we have used the more definitive bisulfite genomic sequencing method to examine CpG methylation in HCT116 human cells and primary human cells to independently answer these two questions. We found no evidence of CpG methylation at a biologically significant level in these regions of the human mitochondrial genome. Furthermore, unbiased next-generation sequencing of sodium bisulfite treated total DNA from HCT116 cells and analysis of genome-wide sodium bisulfite sequencing data sets from several other DNA sources confirmed this absence of CpG methylation in mtDNA. Based on our findings using regionally specific and genome-wide approaches with multiple human cell sources, we can definitively conclude that CpG methylation is absent in mtDNA. It is highly unlikely that CpG methylation plays any role in direct control of mitochondrial function.     

DNA Methylation Analysis of Chromosome 21 Gene Promoters at Single Base Pair and Single Allele Resolution

Differential DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic signal for gene regulation, development, and disease processes. We mapped DNA methylation patterns of 190 gene promoter regions on chromosome 21 using bisulfite conversion and subclone sequencing in five human cell types. A total of 28,626 subclones were sequenced at high accuracy using (long-read) Sanger sequencing resulting in the measurement of the DNA methylation state of 580427 CpG sites. Our results show that average DNA methylation levels are distributed bimodally with enrichment of highly methylated and unmethylated sequences, both for amplicons and individual subclones, which represent single alleles from individual cells. Within CpG-rich sequences, DNA methylation was found to be anti-correlated with CpG dinucleotide density and GC content, and methylated CpGs are more likely to be flanked by AT-rich sequences. We observed over-representation of CpG sites in distances of 9, 18, and 27 bps in highly methylated amplicons. However, DNA sequence alone is not sufficient to predict an amplicon's DNA methylation status, since 43% of all amplicons are differentially methylated between the cell types studied here. DNA methylation in promoter regions is strongly correlated with the absence of gene expression and low levels of activating epigenetic marks like H3K4 methylation and H3K9 and K14 acetylation. Utilizing the single base pair and single allele resolution of our data, we found that i) amplicons from different parts of a CpG island frequently differ in their DNA methylation level, ii) methylation levels of individual cells in one tissue are very similar, and iii) methylation patterns follow a relaxed site-specific distribution. Furthermore, iv) we identified three cases of allele-specific DNA methylation on chromosome 21. Our data shed new light on the nature of methylation patterns in human cells, the sequence dependence of DNA methylation, and its function as epigenetic signal in gene regulation. Further, we illustrate genotype–epigenotype interactions by showing novel examples of allele-specific methylation.