Simultaneous single-molecule epigenetic imaging of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation

Abstract

DNA epigenetic modifications in the forms of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxylmethylcytosine (5hmC) play crucial regulatory functions in the mammalian genome. Here we developed an ultrasensitive single-molecule epigenetic imaging technology for detecting and quantifying 5hmC and 5mC. By conducting single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments, we discovered high levels of adjacent and opposing methylated and hydroxymethylated CpG sites in the mouse genome, a previously unappreciated structure which may play an important role in gene regulation.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 28, 2016
Source ID
10.1073/pnas.1600223113

Entities

People

  • Axel T. Brunger
  • Chun-xiao Song
  • Jiajie Diao
  • Stephen Quake

Organizations

  • National Institutes of Health
  • Stanford University
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

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