Method for detecting cytosine-methylation patterns with high sensitivity

摘要

Detecting cytosine methylation in DNA samples by: (i) chemically treating a genomic sample to convert all non-methylated cytosines to uracil while leaving methylated cytosines unchanged; (ii) amplification with 2 primer oligonucleotides and a polymerase; and (iii) analysis of the amplicon and deducing the methylation status of test DNA. Detecting cytosine methylation in DNA samples by: (i) chemically treating a genomic sample to convert all non-methylated cytosines to uracil while leaving methylated cytosines unchanged; (ii) amplification with 2 primer oligonucleotides and a polymerase; and (iii) analysis of the amplicon and deducing the methylation status of test DNA from the presence of an amplicon and/or analysis of additional positions. The sample contains both test DNA and background DNA and step (ii) is designed for preferential amplification of test DNA. An independent claim is also included for a kit containing a bisulfite reagent, primers, additional oligonucleotides that lack a 3'-hydroxy for preparation of an amplicon, and optionally instructions for performing an assay.